Missing Jefferson City child, alleged abductor found dead

Jefferson City police say a missing Mid-Missouri boy has been found dead in Cape Girardeau, along with Demetrius Beasley, the alleged abductor.

Investigators say Markell Beasley, 6, of Jefferson City was found dead Christmas Eve.

The boy was reported missing on Dec. 22 after Markell’s mother reported the child’s father-figure, Demetrius Beasley, had taken him under false pretenses.

Beasley was not the biological father of Markell and had no legal rights to him.

Markell’s mother told officers she let her son travel with Beasley’s relatives to St. Louis to be with Beasley for a holiday party, but later learned there was no party.

On Dec. 23, the Jefferson City Police Department issued an Endangered Person Advisory for Markell. One day later, an Amber Alert was issued after Demetrius Beasley sent Markell’s mother threatening text messages, including one that said, “God will see Markell before you.”

Police say Beasley intended never to bring Markell back to his mother.

Law enforcement say leads brought police to Cape Girardeau. Investigators in southeast Missouri responded to a shots fired incident Tuesday night and found Markell and Beasley dead.

Jefferson City police say the manner or cause of death has not been determined.

More information is expected Thursday morning.