On Friday, September 3, 2021, at 9:52 p.m., the Ottumwa Police Department received a 911 call reporting that someone had been stabbed at the Stardust Motel located at 2211 Roemer Ave., room number 43, in Ottumwa. Police arrived and found a male victim had sustained a stab wound to his chest. The victim was identified as Joshua David Barnhill, age 43, of Ottumwa.
Barnhill was transported to the Ottumwa Regional Health Center and subsequently died as a result of his injuries.
At approximately 10:55 p.m., a Wapello County Deputy Sheriff located the suspect near the intersection of Jefferson and Kruger in Ottumwa. The suspect was initially arrested for Providing False Information to a Police Officer and for Possession of Methamphetamine, both Misdemeanor charges.
The suspect was identified as Robert Wayne Milford JR, age 39, who was also staying at the Stardust Motel located at 2211 Roemer, room number 48, Ottumwa.
Milford was additionally charged with Murder in the 2nd Degree, a Class “B” Felony.
