Dunklin County Sheriff's Department looking at cold case from 1996

KENNETT, Mo. -- It has been almost 16 years since George Conder of Kennett was reported missing and his remains found in the area of the St. Francis River. Now after all this time, the case is again being looked at by the Dunklin County Sheriff's Department.

When Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder was contacted regarding the case, he noted that it had never actually been closed.

"It's just a homicide that hasn't been solved and we picked up bits and pieces of information at different times. We leave it open to document what people tell us," he said, noting that the case has been surrounded by rumors. Continuing he said, "We just keep it open."

When asked what the statue of limitations regarding a murder case is Holder said, "There's no statute of limitations on that."

Although he says there is no evidence to arrest someone at this point, he did add that they are receiving additional information regarding the case.

"People are willing to talk. Some of the people that were afraid to come forth, let's say 15 years ago, may be willing to share information now," he said.

When pressed for a reason why the department is looking into the case again, Sheriff Holder noted, "Well, it's unsolved." Continuing, he added, "Ma'am, we look every year. It's just something the books have never been closed on."

For many that don't remember the case, Conder, 49, went missing on November 26, 1996. He was last seen in the Kennett and Campbell, Mo., area on Nov, 25 by a number of people. According to reports, he had stopped in at a convenience store to purchase some items. Witnesses remember seeing him there.

At the time of his disappearance, reports say that he was wearing tennis shoes, blue jeans and a T-shirt with a camo jacket.

After a missing person report was filed with law enforcement officials , family and friends formed a search party and began looking for him.

According to reports, his truck was found by a relative the day after he disappeared, Nov. 27, off of County Road 411 on the side of the levee. The keys to the vehicle were lying in the ash tray.

The truck was taken and processed by the Division of Drug and Crime Control of the Missouri State Highway Patrol to search for any clues to Conder's disappearance. While the vehicle was being processed it was discovered that there were two items missing from the vehicle, a white tool box from the interior of the truck and a CB radio.

Almost three months later, on Feb. 23, 1997, Conder's skeletal remains were found wrapped in black plastic bound together with nylon rope by a Holcomb, Mo., resident. The remains were found just west of Highway B in the area of the St. Francis River area. Property, a wallet, and a drivers license, that were found inside the plastic material identified the remains as that of George Conder.

The next day on Feb. 24, the remains were transported to Farmington, Mo., to be examined by a forensic anthropologist for an autopsy. After the autopsy, the cause of death was ruled as a gun shot to the head possibly by a small caliber weapon.

Conder was raised in Kennett, having attended school here and reports say he was a very likable person. Sometimes, he was known to stay in Campbell with his girlfriend at the time. Law enforcement officials also report that in the past he was also known to be involved with marijuana growing in the area.

Law enforcement officials, at the time, did note a couple of people who were of interest but no arrests were made because of not enough information.

Although this case is a cold case, it is still considered to be an ongoing investigation by the Dunklin County Major Case Squad, the Dunklin County Prosecutors Office and the Division of Drug and Crime Control of the Missouri Highway Patrol.

If anyone has any information regarding the death of Conder, they are urged to call the Dunklin County Sheriff's Office at (573) 888-2424.

At press time, Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen P. Sokoloff was unavailable for comment regarding the case.

Pertinent address:

Kennett, MO