Body found in Black River identified; man was shot

MARKHAM SPRINGS, Mo. -- Authorities are investigating the shooting death of a missing Bismarck, Missouri, man whose body was found over the weekend in Black River.

"We got a call at 9:54 Saturday morning," Wayne County Sheriff Dean Finch said. "A couple of fishermen spotted a body in the water about a mile to a mile and a half south of Markham Springs in Black River."

Finch said he notified the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control, and its investigators responded to the scene and removed the man's body.

"He was stuck on a log," Finch said. " ... The water is fairly deep there where he was found."

Finch said the body had been in the water "for a while."

An autopsy was performed Sunday at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington, Missouri, and an apparent gunshot wound was found. There was no identification on the body, Finch said.

In an attempt to identify the dead man, authorities reportedly contacted the family of 53-year-old Kenneth Allen Willard, who was last seen in October in Stoddard County.

Finch said the body was positively identified as Willard on Monday afternoon, using tattoos and an elbow replacement.

Willard went on a hunting trip Oct. 20 in Stoddard County, with the expectation of returning Oct. 25, according to a missing adult notice from the Missouri Missing Persons Clearinghouse.

Willard was hunting on land owned by himself and some of his family members on Route C, right on the Stoddard/Bollinger County line, Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner said.

"It was the old family home place," Hefner said. "The old house was partially gone, not livable. ... [Willard] had a little camper."

Willard's vehicle, which Hefner described as an old truck, reportedly was found disabled at the campsite, which did not appear to be disturbed.

Willard was last seen by his daughter Oct. 24 at the Arab Station Convenience Store at the junction of Highway 51 and Route C, at Zalma, Missouri. The two had happened to run into each other.

Hefner said he has been able to find out when Willard's cellphone was last used, as well as the last time his debit card was used.

Family members reported Willard missing in December, Hefner said, and explained they said he often stayed away but usually would call and check in with them.

Anyone with information is asked to call 573-224-3219, 568-4654 or 840-9000.

Pertinent address:

Markham Springs, Mo.