No suspects in death of Wappapello store owner

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- Butler County investigators are working around the clock to find the people responsible for the shotgun death of the owner of Bud's Country Store.

Gary Lee "Bud" Ayers, 52, of Wappapello was found dead inside his store on Highway T Friday night by a Butler County sheriff's deputy who responded to an alarm at the store.

Since that time the sheriff's department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol have been "following up on leads and generating even more leads," said sheriff's chief deputy Rick Sliger.

An autopsy was performed Sunday by Dr. Russell Deidiker at Mineral Area Hospital in Farmington, Mo.

"The cause of death was the shotgun, a single shot," said Butler County Coroner Larry Cotrell said.

Authorities believe Ayers surprised someone inside the store shortly after it had closed.

Ayers' pickup, which was not running, was found on the parking lot just in front of the store's front door, Sliger said. The driver's door was open and its headlights were on.

Authorities believe Ayers' truck was not running because he needed a key off his key ring to open the store's front door.

The store's security system had been activated in the store that night.

"It appears the victim decided to go back in and tripped the alarm as he opened the front door," Sliger said. "The alarm company in turn notified our office and we responded to a burglar alarm at the business."

Sliger said investigators believe the suspect was already in the store when Ayers re-entered. There were no signs of forced entry at any of the other entry points.

Sliger said the shotgun was owned by Ayers and was one that he kept in the store.

There were no signs of a struggle inside the business, Sliger said.