Ex-husband of auditor found slain

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- A man found shot to death on a city street was identified Tuesday as David Exposito, former husband of Missouri State Auditor Claire McCaskill.

McCaskill's office confirmed that the slain man was the auditor's former husband, father of her three children.

Exposito, 64, lived in Independence, Mo. He and McCaskill, a Democrat who lost to Republican Matt Blunt in the Missouri governor's race last year, were divorced in 1995.

In August, McCaskill announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination to oppose Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., next year.

Capt. Michael Kobe of the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department said the body was identified through fingerprints and a tattoo.

The body was found shortly before 3 p.m. Monday in the northeast part of the city. Police would not discuss details, except to say the preliminary theory is that Exposito was in a car when he was shot in the upper torso, then thrown onto the street from the vehicle. He died immediately.

Police did not release information on any suspect but Kobe said they had promising leads from witnesses.

When McCaskill was the Jackson County prosecuting attorney, Exposito was caught smoking marijuana at a Kansas City-area casino boat while she was out of town. They were divorced the next year.

McCaskill was elected state auditor in 1998 and easily won a second term four years later.

Her Senate campaign spokesman, Tony Wyche, said McCaskill's immediate priority is to focus on her family. She has an 18-year-old son and two daughters, 16 and 14.

"The campaign will adapt to that and certainly we will move forward respectfully in putting our first thoughts with her," Wyche said.

Talent extended condolences in a statement released by his Washington office.

"Brenda and I are deeply saddened by this tragedy," Talent said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Claire McCaskill, her children and everyone in her family during this very difficult time."