David Adair Jr. murder of Lavonte Jackson

David Arthur Adair Jr. participated in the killing of Lavonte Jackson, whose body was found on the side of a Benton County road on February 24, 2020.

Deputies discovered Jackson’s body along Van Hollow Road near Beaver Lake. Investigators believe the killing occurred several miles away in the Beaver Shores area near the Arkansas Highway 12 bridge, then someone later dumped the body at the roadside location.

Prosecutors initially charged Adair, then 26 years old, with capital murder, alleging he acted with premeditation and deliberation. Authorities also charged Zackary David Whitcomb and Lydia Elaine Riggs as accomplices. All three were held without bond in the Benton County Jail.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Riggs restrained Jackson using a rope and a belt. Detectives said Jackson was last seen with Adair and Riggs, based on statements from Jackson’s girlfriend. Investigators also recovered social media images showing Jackson wearing the same clothing later found on his body, as well as text messages Riggs allegedly sent to a confidential informant discussing Jackson’s death.

Authorities later arrested Mark Brannan in connection with the case and charged him with abuse of a corpse, hindering apprehension or prosecution, and tampering with physical evidence.

While awaiting trial, Adair faced additional criminal charges. In 2021, prosecutors accused him of raping another inmate while housed in the Benton County jail. He pleaded not guilty to that charge. Court records also show Adair had previously been arrested in 2019 for battery and possession of a firearm by certain persons after allegedly shooting a man in the foot. He was out on bond in that case when authorities arrested him for Jackson’s killing.

The capital murder charge was later reduced. Adair ultimately entered a negotiated guilty plea to second-degree murder. The court sentenced him to 30 years in prison.

Adair entered the Arkansas prison system on August 18, 2022, and is currently housed in the East Arkansas Regional Unit in Brickeys. His earliest projected release date is November 30, 2034.

Correctional records reflect numerous disciplinary violations, including incidents involving violence and fire-setting, during his incarceration.