(Kirksville, MO) - The Kirksville Police Department would like to share some information regarding an ongoing investigation that led to the discovery of human remains.
In February 2023, detectives with the Kirksville Police Department received a vague third-party report of a possible homicide at an “abandoned house near Kirksville.” Detectives conducted several interviews but were unable to obtain enough details to locate the house. On January 2, 2024, the Kirksville Police Department received a “missing persons” report for the possible homicide victim. Patrol officers made several unsuccessful attempts to locate this person in Kirksville and detectives took over the investigation.
They determined the missing person and the possible homicide victim were the same. Additional research located a phone possibly belonging to the victim in the Boone County Sheriff’s Department's possession. Detectives retrieved the phone and through the Kirksville Regional Computer Crimes Unit of the Kirksville Police Department, conducted a forensic download. Data retrieved from this phone led to a residence in Hurdland, Mo. Detectives contacted the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, who joined the investigation, bringing valuable information and logistics. Kirksville detectives coordinated with the Knox County Sheriff’s Department on a search warrant on February 25, 2025, for the Hurdland residence, which resulted in the recovery of human remains.
The victim’s name is being withheld until the forensic examination is complete and the family is notified of the results.
The Kirksville Police Department wants to express its gratitude to the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, North Missouri Drug Task Force, Lewis County Sheriff’s Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“This is a great example of many regional law enforcement agencies working together to solve a terrible crime and bring some closure to a family. I am so proud of the outstanding work of our detectives and thankful for the valuable assistance of all the other agencies involved,” said Chief of Police Scott Williamson.
Anyone having additional information on this case should contact the Kirksville Police Department or the Knox County Sheriff's Department.
