Tulsa teen arrested for woman's murder

Tulsa police have arrested a 19-year old for the murder of a woman found dead in her south Tulsa home, and police are still looking for the victim's 17-year old son. 

Police arrested 19-year old Josiah Sklar on Tuesday for the murder of Linda Laird.  Laird was found dead in her home near 71st and Yale on Tuesday morning. The cause of death has been determined to be blunt force trauma to the head and neck.

The arrest report says witnesses told police the victim's son, Henry "Hank" Laird, was at the home when they found the victim's body and said she fell down the stairs and died.  Witnesses say he then left the house with another teen. 

Police began searching for Laird and he was spotted at the Starbucks at 61st and Yale where he used the phone to call Josiah Sklar.  Witnesses told police Sklar had sent text messages saying he was there when Laird beat the victim and now needed a ride some place.  Police located and arrested Sklar on a misdemeanor warrant. 

Arrest records show Sklar told police he was in the victim's home when Laird beat her in the head with the butt of a shotgun and then passed out. Sklar told police the victim still appeared to be alive but Sklar did not call for emergency services because he was afraid of Laird.  Sklar told police he gave the victim a pillow and then went to a sleep in a back room.

Police say Sklar said he left with Laird when the victim's family members arrived. Sklar told police he went to St. Francis Hospital and Starbucks with Laird before leaving him to go Jack in the Box to get a ride. Sklar told police he did not call them because he did not want to testify against Laird.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Henry "Hank" Laird for first degree murder. Police want anyone with information about him to call Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS.