NEWELLTON – The husband of a missing Newellton woman was booked with second-degree murder Wednesday, the day after her body was discovered.

Leroy Davis, 46, was the husband of Melanie Davis, 41, who was reported missing when she did not show up for work Jan. 16 at River Regional Medical Center in Vicksburg. She had been a certified nursing assistant at the hospital for about five years.

She had not been seen at the medical center since two days before.

Her 2003 Chevrolet Malibu was found in a pecan grove off Louisiana 603 near Tallulah in eastern Madison Parish several days later. It was taken for forensic testing.

Louisiana 603 loops off U.S. 65 and rejoins it several miles south. Family members at the time said U.S. 65 and Interstate 20 were Davis’ regular route from home at 207 Pecan Drive in Newellton to work.

Monroe police received a Crimestoppers tip Tuesday and forwarded it to the Tensas Parish sheriff.

Tensas deputies, aided by state police, found a body near an intersection of Louisiana highways 575 and 888, Sgt. Julie Lewis of state police said.

&#8220There is no positive ID of the body yet,” Lewis said. &#8220But we have strong reason to believe that it is Melanie Davis. Officials are still excavating the scene.”

Davis was arrested at his home and booked into Tensas Parish Detention Center. No bond has been set.

No manner of death was reported by Tensas or Louisiana officials.

Davis was the mother of three grown children, and she also leaves her mother and a sister.