Timothy “Tim” Steppach, the former owner and operator of Tim’s Tavern in Benton, was found dead Wednesday, September 2, 2026, prompting a death investigation by Benton police. He was 49.
According to the Benton Police Department, officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of Ashley Street after receiving a report of a gunshot at approximately 6 p.m. When officers arrived, they found Steppach deceased inside the home. Authorities said no foul play is suspected at this time.
The circumstances surrounding Steppach’s death remain under investigation. His body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for an autopsy, and officials are awaiting those results before determining and publicly confirming his cause of death.
Steppach was known throughout Benton through his connection to Tim’s Tavern, the barbecue restaurant he formerly operated on Edison Avenue. The business became a familiar part of the local dining community before its later closure.
His death comes after a difficult period that included both criminal and civil legal proceedings connected to his former restaurant. In November 2025, Steppach pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor. He received probation, a fine and court-ordered restrictions.
The U.S. Department of Labor had also obtained a preliminary injunction involving Tim’s Tavern in 2024 following allegations concerning child-labor restrictions, wages, tips, recordkeeping and retaliation. The department said its investigation found several violations of federal labor requirements.
More recently, Centennial Bank filed a foreclosure lawsuit in March 2026 involving Steppach, Tim Steppach LLC and the former restaurant property, according to local reporting.
Those matters form part of the public record surrounding Steppach’s later years, but his death has now placed the focus on the unanswered questions surrounding what happened inside the Benton residence.
For people who knew Steppach through his years operating Tim’s Tavern, news of his death marks the loss of a recognizable figure in the Benton business community. Family, friends and others who knew him are now facing an unexpected loss while authorities continue their investigation.
Until the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory completes its examination, Steppach’s official cause of death remains pending. Police have emphasized that foul play is not currently suspected, while the investigation remains open as officials await the autopsy findings.
Timothy “Tim” Steppach was 49 years old when he died, leaving behind family, friends and members of the Benton community awaiting answers about his final hours.
