The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

Published March 8, 2023

Woman charged with Gifford’s murder

CAMDEN COUNTY – A woman who the courts claim is homeless has been arrested and charged with the murder of Thomas Gifford.

On Thursday February 16 at approximately 3:30 p.m., Camden County Communications received a call of a male subject unresponsive in his home south of Camdenton.
 
CCSO deputies responded along with Emergency Medical Technicians from the Camden County Ambulance District and personnel from Mid-County Fire Protection District.

Upon arrival, on scene personnel located Gifford lying on the floor of the residence. On scene personnel then secured the area and notified on-duty Camden County detectives.

An autopsy confirmed the death as a homicide.

Detectives from the Camden County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) coordinated with several other agencies in the state to locate and arrest Chrisma D Ellis, 39, who was known to frequent Camdenton, Sunrise Beach, Lebanon, Lee’s Summit and Kansas City. 

Detectives identified Ellis as a person of interest early in the investigation and traveled to Kansas City recently to take her into custody.

Ellis was booked into the Camden County Adult Detention Facility on February 23 on related auto theft charges while the investigation into the homicide continued.

Ellis is charged with Murder in the 1st Degree (Felony) Armed Criminal Action (Felony) and Tampering With a Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree (Felony). 

She is being held without bond.

The CCSO reminds people that these charges are merely allegations of wrongdoing. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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