Fugitive Sought In Connection With Murder of Ex-Girlfriend And 4-Year-Old Son In Arkansas

An Arkansas man on the run from law enforcement since June for the double-murder of his ex-girlfriend and her four-year-old son is still on the loose, nearly two months later. 

Jory Worthen, 23, is accused of murdering Alyssa Cannon, and her son, Marshall Braydon Ray Ponder, according to authorities. The U.S. Marshals Service has since issued a $5,000 reward for his arrest. Authorities warned the public that “he should be considered very dangerous.”

Canon’s family members reported her missing on the afternoon of June 25. Her and her son’s bodies were found later that day at their Ronald Drive home. At the time, police believed Worthen may be driving her 2007 white Honda Accord. Authorities say Worthen was last seen in Camden on June 22. 

“We’re actively and aggressively searching for him,” said LaRhonda Moore, a Camden Police lieutenant and lead case investigator told Oxygen.com. 

Moore said her department is grateful for the Marshal’s assistance, adding that her department has been overwhelmed by tips coming in from across the country. 

Randy Coyne, a supervisory deputy for the Western Arkansas Fugitive Task Force, speaking with Oxygen.com, called Worthen's alleged crimes "heinous."

Jory Worthen is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend Alyssa Cannon, and her son, Marshall Braydon Ray Ponder. He's currently wanted by law enforcement. Photo: Camden Police Department

“We’re digging into every possible thing we can possibly dig into and there are some things that are developing but we don’t have anything concrete on his location,” Coyne added.

The deputy said that authorities now believe Worthen could be as far as the west coast by now but wouldn’t comment on whether or not Worthen’s vehicle had been recovered as of yet. Coyne also noted that Worthen didn’t have an “extensive” criminal history. 

A U.S. Marshal press release describes Worthen as roughly six-feet tall, with brown hair and eyes. He weighs about 160 pounds and has a tattoo of crucifix on his right forearm that reads, “Matthew 7:6.” He has another tattoo of a skull with wings on his chest, and a tattoo of barbed wire on his left bicep. 

Coyne, the U.S. Marshal, highlighted that Worthen's tattoos are an important identifying factor — and could be key in capturing him.

“They’re very unique,” he explained. “That’s something you could see if he was wearing a short-sleeved shirt. It’s definitely something that we’ve focused on.” 

Police have since charged Montez Charles-Xavier Woods with hindering Worthen’s apprehension. They believe the 22-year-old has knowledge of the homicide and was aware of Worthen’s whereabouts

“[Woods] helped [Worthen] days after the murder, helped conceal his whereabouts,” Moore, the Camden lieutenant said. 

Woods was arrested on July 24 and is currently incarcerated at the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office on $100,000 cash bond. 

U.S. Marshals suspect that Worthen is using similar connections while on the run. 

“There’s most likely some sort of support network or someone helping him and we don’t know who that is,” Coyne said. 

“And that certainly complicated matters,” Coyne added. “It doesn’t appear at this stage in the investigation that he’s receiving assistance from a family member. His support network is unknown to us.”

Authorities are urging the public or anyone with information related to Worthen’s whereabouts to phone the U.S. Marshals at 800-336-0102.

“Please call your local law enforcement immediately,” said Moore. “Time is of the essence right now, especially for locating him.”