The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Criminal Investigations Division has officially identified the woman whose body was recovered from Hill Lake on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Authorities confirmed the victim as 28-year-old Sara Murphy of Quitman, Arkansas.
Deputies responded to Hill Lake after a report of a body in the water. Emergency crews recovered Murphy and immediately notified investigators. Despite efforts to determine whether foul play was involved, officials have stated that the circumstances of her death remain unclear.
The PCSO emphasized that this is still an active and ongoing death investigation. Detectives are currently awaiting results from the state medical examiner to help determine both the cause and manner of death. No suspects have been named at this time, and investigators have not disclosed whether Murphy’s death is being treated as accidental, suspicious, or criminal.
In the meantime, the Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help. “We urge anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual in the Hill Lake area around August 26 to come forward,” officials stated. Those with information can contact the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office at (501) 340-6963, referencing Case #: P25-008328.
Sara Murphy’s passing has left her family, friends, and the broader community in shock. As investigators continue piecing together the events leading up to her death, Pulaski County residents are being asked to remain vigilant and to assist in any way possible to help bring clarity and closure.