Autopsy today for man found dead in Black River

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- An autopsy was set for today for a Poplar Bluff man whose body was recovered from the Black River after he went missing while swimming in the river.

"We are flying in a special forensic pathology team from Kansas City" to perform the autopsy on David Keith Owen, said Butler County Chief Deputy Coroner Joe Chapman. " … We've used this team in the past. … They'll fly into Poplar Bluff, and the autopsy will take place in Poplar Bluff.

"It will happen (today), but an exact time has not been set."

The body of the 41-year-old resident of the 800 block of North Riverview was found at about 10:50 a.m. Thursday by Missouri State Highway Patrol Troopers Dave Nelson and J.T. Wilson with the patrol's Water Division.

Nelson said they found Owen's floating body while doing a surface-to-surface search of the river near the Wiseman Beach area.

Owen, he said, was found about a half-mile downstream from where he was last seen.

According to Nelson, Owen was found around the horseshoe bend in the river at a location almost directly across Ray Clinton Park from Wiseman Beach.

Nelson and Wilson made their discovery after nearly 10 hours of searching, which also included dragging operations.

Owen, who had been with a group of people swimming and drinking at the river since about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, was reported missing at about 9:50 p.m.

After officers conducted an area search, the water search began at about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and continued to about 4 a.m. Thursday. The search resumed at about 7 a.m. Thursday.

With the recovery of Owen's body, the investigation has "transitioned from a missing person to a death investigation," according to Poplar Bluff Police Deputy Chief Jeff Rolland.

"We are currently conducting interviews and identifying individuals who were present when David Owen was reported missing (Wednesday) evening," Rolland said.

With the autopsy planned for today, Rolland said, the investigation into Owen's death is ongoing and being conducted by the police department, Water Division and Butler County Coroner's Office.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, MO