CHICOT COUNTY, Ark. — A Tahlequah physician has been arrested, accused of murder.
Dr. Tyler Tait was taken into custody Monday night near Lake Village, Arkansas. That’s near the Arkansas and Louisiana state line.
Chicot County deputies found 37-year-old Moria Kinsey of Tahlequah laying by a parked car near Highway 65. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. Kinsey’s body was taken to the Arkansas State Crime Lab, where the cause of death will be determined.
Tait and Kinsey were traveling from Mississippi. Officers found evidence of a physical fight inside the car. Tait was arrested after he was interviewed by investigators.
Tait is currently being held at the Chicot County Jail, charged with first-degree murder. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. released a statement on the case that revealed Tait had a previous domestic violence charge brought against him in April of this year.
“That case was under review when this tragic event occurred,” he said.
“We are devastated and mourning the loss of Moira Kinsey and on behalf of the entire Cherokee Nation, our thoughts and prayers are with Moira’s family and friends during this time,” Chief Hoskin said.
Though Kinsey isn’t a member of the Cherokee Nation, she is a former employee. She previously worked as a nurse in the Cherokee Nation. Chief Hoskin commended her work with native citizens. Kinsey worked closely with the Cherokee Nation, and she helped improved the lives of families in the community.
Tait is also not a member of the Cherokee Nation. However, he did work at W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah.
The Cherokee Nation is hosting a vigil to remember Kinsey at 8:30 p.m. in Norris Park Thursday evening.