Izard County man facing five counts of rape

The investigation into the Aug. 28 death of a 38-year-old female in Izard County has led to rape charges being filed against a Wiseman, Ark. man.

According to the arrest affidavit, Jeremy Corlis and two other individuals were on the scene when authorities were called to a residence in Wiseman on the report of the female’s death. Investigators were told the victim became very sick and had begun to behave strangely. The on-scene witnesses described the victim becoming incoherent, unable to stand or walk on her own, and unable to talk for at least 24 hours before her death, the affidavit said.

Izard County Investigator Tyler Webb said during the course of the investigation, information was obtained indicating the victim had possibly been sexually assaulted prior to her death.

According to a Facebook post from the Izard County Sheriff’s Department (scroll below), Jeremy Corlis confessed to sexually assaulting the victim five times. Apparently, Jeremy Corlis told authorities he did not think the victim knew what was happening during the encounters.

Corlis has been charged with five counts of rape, which are Class Y felonies. Corlis was placed in the Izard County Detention Center. The victim’s body was sent to the state crime lab for an official cause of death.

Authorities said a preliminary report showed no trauma to the victim’s body that would point to foul play.