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(Update) Arrest affidavit identifies Harrison County homicide victim

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April 24th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Logan, Iowa) – Additional information is being released in connection with a Harrison County homicide investigation. According to an arrest affidavit, the victim of the murder was identified as 53-year-old Douglas Manley, who was found dead inside his rural Harrison County home. The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner has ruled Manley’s death as a homicide caused by blunt force trauma.

Court documents say Manly and 22-year-old Sebastin Reece O’Brien, were moving furniture Sunday when they got into a fight. Investigators said O’Brien told them he punched, kicked and hit Manley with dresser drawers.

As we previously reported, Deputies in Harrison County found O’Brien Sunday afternoon south of Modale, after he crashed a pickup that belonged to Manley. When deputies went to Manley’s house, they found blood smeared on the front door and said the door appeared to be forced open.  They found Manley dead at the top of the stairs. Investigators said he had face and head injuries. Deputies said O’Brien was intoxicated and combative when they interviewed him.

O’Brien is charged with first-degree murder, a Class-A felony. He’s being held without bond, and scheduled to be in court for a preliminary hearing May 1st.