S. Indiana girl, 17, slain after sexual assault

CLARKSVILLE, Ind. (AP) -- A 17-year-old southern Indiana girl found dead in her apartment was sexually assaulted before she was slain, a prosecutor said.

Clark County Prosecutor Steve Stewart said a sexual assault charge would be among the formal charges he will prepare Monday in the death of Tara Willenborg of Clarksville.

"Obviously, this girl suffered a horrible death. In addition to a murder charge, we certainly anticipate charges of rape and/or criminal deviate conduct," Stewart told the News and Tribune for a story Sunday.

Richard Carley Hooten, 49, was being held in connection with the slaying at the Clark County Jail on Sunday.

Willenborg was found dead in her bedroom about 3:20 a.m. Saturday by her live-in boyfriend after he had returned home from work, Clarksville Police Maj. Darrell Rayborn said.

Rayborn said he could not discuss whether a sexual assault occurred. He also did not disclose how Willenborg died.

Willenborg and Hooten knew one another, Rayborn said.

Rayborn said only Willenborg and her boyfriend lived in the apartment and that she had never expressed concerns about Hooten to her boyfriend.

"They were acquaintances," he said. "I think they had just met recently."

There were no sign of forced entry into the home, Rayborn said.

Neighbors provided a description of the suspected killer and officers located Hooten about 8 a.m. walking along a street about a mile from Wittenborg's apartment, Rayborn said.

"There were neighbors who knew of him and gave us the first name, but that was all we had when we started," Rayborn said.

Officers then canvassed the area.

"We found him on the street," Rayborn said. "We were just looking in the area, hoping that he might still be around," Rayborn said.

Hooten has resided in Clark County, Louisville, Ky., and Georgia.

"Where his actual home address is now, I do not know," Rayborn said.

After Hooten's arrest, police discovered a warrant for him on parole and probation violations, the Courier-Journal of Louisville, Ky., reported.