Murder suspect Christopher Michael Smith, 38, of Monticello, had his initial court appearance in Copiah County Monday and was denied bail, said Copiah County Chief Deputy Derrick Cubit.

Smith is charged with the murder of his girlfriend Nakisa Benson, 38, of Monticello. Her body was found Tuesday, Aug. 20, in a field on Monticello Road in Copiah County.

A warrant was issued for Smith’s arrest following the discovery Tuesday. Smith avoided officials until he was finally apprehended by the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Troop H, in Lauderdale County on Saturday without incident, said Cubit.

The suspect was then transferred to the Copiah County Jail.

The Copiah County sheriff’s office initially received a call around 5:30 p.m. last Tuesday reporting there was a body lying in a field.

When officers arrived, they found a black 2008 Pontiac stopped in the roadway with the driver’s side door open, Cubit said. There appeared to be gunshots in the driver’s side door, and in the field along the wood line, a Benson’s body was found in close proximity to the vehicle.