×

Sign In

LATEST

More Oil Volatility Back on the Table Lewis Central Headlines 2026 Hawkeye Ten All-Conference Baseball Selections Water Leak Repair at Evergreen Cemetery State News: Hovey Memorials Start, 23andMe Settlement, Treasure Hunt Sets Records McCollum Is Patiently Waiting for Leader to Emerge for Hawkeyes Wednesday's High School Baseball Playoff Scores; State Pairings WIC Announces All Conference Baseball Team Wildcats Roll Past Cyclones To Advance to 3A State Tourney

Western Iowa's Most Trusted News Source
413 Chestnut Street - Atlantic, IA 50022 - 712-243-6885

Woman Receives Deferred Judgment, Probation in Connection to Earling Murder

By Mandy Billings Nov 18, 2025 | 5:12 AM

(Earling) A woman who was charged following a murder in Earling has been given a deferred judgment and two years of probation.

Court records show Ashley McWilliams pleaded guilty to Accessory After the Fact in connection with the death of 32-year-old Theresa Kenkel. In addition to probation, McWilliams was ordered to pay a $1,025 civil penalty.

Last month, Winston Joseph Leal was sentenced to up to 50 years in prison for second-degree murder. Leal pleaded guilty in the killing of Kenkel, whose body was discovered on Thursday, July 31, when the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office conducted a welfare check at 204 2nd Avenue in Earling. Deputies entered the home and found Kenkel deceased inside.

At Western Iowa Today, we strive for reporting accuracy. If you see a mistake or a typo, please let us know by email to ksomnews@westerniowatoday.com
Story Content (c) 2026 Meredith Communications LC - All Rights Reserved.

Iowa Has Confirmed Case Of Cyclosporiasis

(Des Moines, IA) -- Iowa is now confirmed with one case of cyclosporiasis, with the nationwide total just under two thousand. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Iowa's case wa...

Correction: DNR Issues Swimming Advisories for One Southwest Iowa Lake

(Des Moines) The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues swimming advisories for one State Park in Southwest Iowa. The rest are ok for swimming. According to the DNR Prairie State Park is on the l...

Thursday's High School Softball Playoff Scores

Class 3A Regional Quarterfinals Region 5 Van Meter 10, Kuemper Catholic 1 OABCIG 5, Greene County 4 Atlantic 5, Cherokee 2 Orange City Unity Unity Christian 4, Hull Western Christian 3 Region 1 Willia...

Saturday's High School Softball Playoff Schedule

Saturday, July 11 Class 3A Regional Semifinals Region 5 Orange City Unity Christian (22-2) at #8 Atlantic (32-6); Coverage on KS 95.7 FM OABCIG (15-5) at #6 Van Meter (30-6) Region 1 Benton (15-20) at...