Arrest made in connection to deadly fire near Virginia

Raymond Harvey

The Bates County Sheriff's Office made an arrest last night at approximately 9:45 p.m. of a suspect in the double homicide in rural Bates County.

Arrested was Raymond Samual Harvey Jr., 38. Raymond is the ex-boyfriend of one victim Brandee E. Bickleman.

Yesterday, the Bates County Sheriff's Office responded to a residential fire in the Virginia community. On arrival Deputies found the house to be a working fire. After the fire was contained the Fire Department advised that there were two victims found deceased inside the residence.

The name of the other victim has not been released at this time.

Harvey is a registered sex offender for a previous conviction of Rape from a 1992 case out of Jackson County Mo. Harvey served 17 years in prison and had been out on parole for approximately 2 years.

A warrant was issued by the Bates County Prosecutor for 2 counts of 1st degree murder, 2 counts of armed criminal action, and one count of 2 degree arson.

Harvey's bond was set at $10,000,000.00 cash or surety.