An arrest affidavit describes allegations of earlier violence against Stephanie Denson Slade before her body was discovered near Jones in May.
JONES, Okla. — James Derrell Thompson has been arrested on a first-degree murder accusation in the death of his girlfriend, Stephanie Denson Slade, whose body was recovered from the North Canadian River nearly three months ago, authorities said.
Oklahoma County sheriff’s deputies began investigating after two fishermen found Denson Slade’s body in the river near Hogback Road and Choctaw Bypass on May 19. Investigators later classified the death as a homicide. An arrest warrant affidavit now outlines statements from relatives and neighbors about Denson Slade’s relationship with Thompson and allegations of violence before her death.
The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Denson Slade had been stabbed and had suffered a cut wound to the neck, according to information released in connection with the investigation. Authorities have not publicly detailed the evidence they believe directly connects Thompson to the killing beyond the allegations summarized in the arrest affidavit.
According to the affidavit, members of Denson Slade’s family told investigators that she had previously described an incident in which Thompson allegedly took her to a wooded area, beat her and choked her until she lost consciousness. The family said she told them that after regaining consciousness, Thompson allegedly attacked and choked her again.
Her relatives told investigators that Denson Slade had expressed fear of Thompson, according to the affidavit. Those statements are allegations contained in an investigative document and have not been tested in court. Thompson is accused of first-degree murder and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Investigators also interviewed neighbors who described concerns about the couple’s relationship. According to the affidavit, neighbors said they had developed a safety code Denson Slade could use if she needed them to contact police. They also alleged that Thompson had repeatedly assaulted her. The affidavit does not establish those allegations as proven facts.
The document says Thompson went to members of Denson Slade’s family on May 19, the same day her body was found, and asked about her whereabouts. Family members told investigators that Thompson wanted to search their home for her and at one point began crying.
Denson Slade’s identity was publicly confirmed in early June. At that time, authorities had not disclosed whether her death was accidental or involved foul play. Her family said she had been missing only a few days before fishermen discovered her body. By late July, the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office confirmed investigators were treating the case as a homicide.
The arrest marks the most significant publicly announced development in the investigation since the homicide determination. Thompson faces a first-degree murder accusation as the case moves into the court system, where prosecutors will be required to prove the charge and the allegations supporting it.
Author note: Last updated August 18, 2026.