Murder suspect claims victims told him they killed his girlfriend; girlfriend found in ditch in Loma Linda

A Reeds man charged with two counts of first degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action in connection with the shooting deaths of Mason McClure, 34, Avilla, and Nicole Hodges, 34, Joplin, claims the killings took place after McClure said he killed his girlfriend.

The probable cause statement filed in Jasper County Circuit Court today, says Kevin Clay Johnson, 24, Reeds, a former Carthage resident, went to a home at 255 Greenfield Street in Avilla to see his girlfriend, Brylee O'Banion.

"When he arrived, he was told by Mason McClure that McClure and Hodges had killed O'Banion. At this time, Johnson stated he was asked to go to the garage and help McClure with something. Johnson drew a firearm he had taken from his father's residence and started shooting. McClure was shot in the back and Hodges fell away bleeding. Hodges also died from her wounds on scene."

Newton County Sheriff's deputies found Brylee O'Banion's body Saturday in a ditch in Loma Linda.

When Jasper County authorities arrived at the Avilla home Sunday for a medical call, they found the bodies of McClure and Hodges.

"The male was lying on his back with a small amount of blood pooled on the floor underneath and beside him on the left side. The female was across the room near the doorway to the kitchen on her right side with considerably more blood pooled around her head on the floor."

After investigators determined Johnson was a suspect, he was brought in for questioning and admitted shooting McClure and Hodges.

He told the ODET Detectives that he was getting ready to flee the state. Johnson admitted to shooting and killing two people. He was convicted of Burglary 2nd on 10-31-2016 served two of his five years of probation and was released on 12-10-2018. He currently has two cases of unlawful use of a weapon pending in Jasper County from ODET as well as delivery of a controlled substance. 

An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of death for Brylee O'Banion, according to a news release issued by the Newton County Sheriff's Office.

The news release indicates Newton County officials were looking for McClure and Hodges in connection with the O'Banion murder.