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On April 16, 2023, Dr. Amy Joiner, 39, was found dead with a knife in her neck in front of her house. Her husband, Marcus McBurney Joiner, 40, is facing capital murder charges in connection to her death. According to reports, Dr. Joiner called 911 to report Marcus' behavior, saying he under the influence of alcohol.
During the distress call, a dispatcher allegedly overheard Marcus Joiner saying, "You wanted it like this." Responding to the call, when the Fayetteville Police Department arrived at the scene, they discovered Dr Joiner's lifeless body on their residential street.
Eyewitness accounts supported the suspicion that Marcus Joiner attacked his wife. A neighbor reportedly saw him kneeling over Dr. Joiner, repeatedly stabbing or punching her. As officers arrived, Marcus Joiner walked away from the body, ignoring commands to stop, and entered the couple's residence before surrendering to the police who had surrounded the house.
Dr. Amy Joiner told the dispatcher that her husband was "being aggressive"
On April 16, police discovered the lifeless body of Dr. Amy Joiner on the street in front of her residence at 1611 E. Thornhill Drive. That evening around 9:28 pm, Dr. Amy Joiner called 911 to report her husband's aggressive behavior while he was intoxicated.
During the phone call, Amy Joiner initially remained calm while describing the situation to the dispatcher. However, she suddenly began screaming for help before abruptly ceasing communication. Recordings of the call captured a male voice saying the words, "You wanted it like this."
Upon arrival, the first officer at the scene still heard the ongoing connection between Dr. Joiner's phone and the 911 operator. The phone was found near the body on the ground. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the victim with a knife protruding from her neck, as reported by Arkansas Online.
After Marcus Joiner was arrested from the couple's home, he was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center for medical treatment as he had a stab wound on the left side and cuts on his hands. Four days later, he was booked into Washington County jail.
Marcus Joiner's next court appearance is scheduled for May 22, where he will face arraignment on the capital murder charges. If convicted, he could face the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. He remains in custody on a $750,000 bond, as per a report by Law&Crime.
Dr. Amy Joiner's colleagues express shock over her tragic death
Dr. Amy Joiner got her MD and did her residency from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She was also a member of Northwest Arkansas (NWA) Pathology Associates in Fayetteville since 2016, where she eventually became a partner.
In an email, K. Drake Branch, the president of NWA Pathology Associates, wrote:
"This is a difficult time for us and for the Northwest Arkansas medical community."
Her colleagues expressed shock and deep sadness over her tragic loss, describing her as a beloved team member known for her professionalism, compassion, and kindness. They also requested that Dr. Amy Joiner's family as well as friends be held in the thoughts and prayers of the community as they navigate through this period of mourning.
