It was a little over a year ago when 16-year-old Savannah Leckie was reported missing and almost a year ago when her remains were found at her Ozark County residence. Leckie’s mother, Rebecca Ruud, and her husband, Robert Peat, Jr., are both charged with multiple counts including first-degree murder, and recent search warrant documents describe the manner in which Leckie may have been killed.
According to the Ozark County Times, an informant stated on June 5th to Ozark County Sheriff Darrin Reed and Chief Deputy Winston Collins Ruud admitted to causing Leckie’s death. Ruud allegedly said she drugged Leckie and placed her into a fire, and when Leckie began to struggle, Ruud struck her with a rake. Peat stated to authorities last July Ruud’s hydrocodone prescription was missing, and Leckie reportedly had a history of suicide attempts. When asked why she didn’t tell authorities about the prescription after Leckie disappeared, Ruud allegedly said it would “make her fear a reality.”
The Ozark County Times is not identifying the informant. Her name was in the affidavit, but according to the newspaper, it’s currently not possible to verify if her statement is true. The affidavit states the informant received “no consideration” in exchange for the information.
Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney John Garrabrant filed court documents June 7th requesting the most recent search warrant. Associate Circuit Judge Cynthia MacPherson authorized the warrant seeking “rakes or other long-handled garden tool” on the Ruud farm, and Deputy Curtis Dobbs executed it on that day. He reportedly confiscated two garden rakes that were later sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Ruud is currently being held in the Taney County Jail. In a pre-trial hearing set for August 24th, she is scheduled to decide if she wants to be tried by a jury or the bench. Peat was released from custody on his own recognizance after a July 5th court appearance to live with family in Ozark County. According to the Springfield News-Leader, he has to wear a GPS monitored by Court Probationary Services, and his next pre-trial hearing is set for October 16th. Ruud and Peat are both going in front of the Greene County Court after their defense attorneys were granted a change of venue.
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