On Wednesday, September 17, 2025 around 5:00pm CT, Adair County deputies responded to the Cane Valley area to a call from a female stating she had been sexually and physically assaulted. The victim claimed that she had gotten into a verbal disagreement with Malachi Webster, age 31, of Columbia. The victim stated that when she tried to leave the residence, Webster forcefully raped her, then strangled her when she tried to call for help. The victim was eventually able to escape the residence to a neighbor’s house to call 911.
When deputies arrived on scene, Webster attempted to flee into the woods but was located and taken into custody. Webster is charged with Rape 1st degree (domestic violence), Strangulation 1st degree, Assault 4th degree, Unlawful Imprisonment, and Fleeing or Evading police 1st degree. Webster was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail.
The victim was taken to TJ Health Columbia, then later flown to a Tennessee hospital for her injuries.
Deputies Nick Barber and Josh Durbin are investigating the case.
