Body found in Diversion Channel identified as missing Cape Girardeau man

After almost two months of authorities looking for him, it was a fisherman who found Bobby Hennecke.

Hennecke's body was found Monday afternoon in the Diversion Channel at the Cape Girardeau and Scott County border, Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton confirmed Monday night.

Hennecke, 59, of Cape Girardeau was reported missing Jan. 20 but was last seen Jan. 15. Hennecke disappeared after going to church and watching football with a friend Jan. 15, his sister-in-law Gail Hennecke said. Hennecke's friend took him home around 5:30 p.m. that day.

When Gail Hennecke and her husband, William, went to Bobby Hennecke's Ellis Street apartment a few weeks after he was reported missing, they found that no one had been there in weeks, Gail Hennecke said.

"There was no water in the sink or shower and there was old food in the refrigerator," she had said. "Nothing was disturbed.

Police had checked with businesses, including bars and restaurants, that Bobby Hennecke was known to frequent, and they had not seen Hennecke.

Police also searched parts of the Mississippi River after Hennecke's disappearance to see if he had fallen in but did not find any trace of the man.

Representatives from the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department, the Cape Girardeau Police Department, the Scott County Sheriff's Department and the Scott City Police Department all responded to a report of a body found in the channel around 2:30 p.m. The body was removed from the channel around 3:20 p.m., and his family was notified around 4 p.m.

"When the military has to go to someone's house to tell a family their soldier has died, that's how it is when you have a missing person," Gail Hennecke said.

Clifton was able to identify Hennecke because his wallet was in his pocket, Gail Hennecke said.

Donna Voorhes, Bobby Hennecke's sister, declined to comment, saying it was too soon after she heard the news to talk to media.

Bobby Hennecke moved to Cape Girardeau from Sullivan, Mo., in June 2010, his sister-in-law said. He was retired, but volunteered at the Salvation Army five days a week. He also had an interest in Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Hennecke leaves behind two daughters -- one near Washington, D.C., and the other in Las Vegas -- and an estranged wife, his sister-in-law said.

An autopsy is scheduled for 10 a.m. today.

psullivan@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

Diversion Channel, Cape Girardeau, MO