Homicide Archives

Documents: Man held crowd at bay with gun during Columbia killing

June 15, 2020 10:42 AM Matthew Sanders

A man arrested last week held a crowd at bay while a man he was with fired the fatal shot during a May 25 killing on Quail Drive, according to police.

One arrested in Columbia homicide investigation

June 12, 2020 8:09 PM Deborah Kendrick

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia police confirm they have arrested one man for his alleged role in a homicide that happened in the 2700 block of Quail Drive. Robert Junior Johnson, 49, was arrested and charged for first degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. Columbia police were called to the 2700 block of Quail

Mom sentenced in disabled daughter’s death in fire

June 5, 2020 3:04 PM Matthew Sanders

VIENNA, Mo. (KMIZ) A woman charged with child endangerment after her disabled daughter died in a fire was sentenced to 14 years in prison Friday but could get out much sooner. A judge ruled that Tracy Ellis’ behavior will be reviewed after 120 days, at which time she could be released on probation, according to

Local attorney weighs in on new charges in George Floyd case

June 4, 2020 12:22 AM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ) Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office upgraded charges Wednesday against the former Minneapolis police officers allegedly responsible for George Floyd’s death. ABC 17 spoke with local attorney and former Cole County prosecutor Bill Tackett about what the next steps are in the case. Tackett said there are a couple of things the

Death of murder-suicide victim ruled a homicide

May 25, 2020 6:06 PM Sydney Olsen

According to autopsy results, the cause of death for a woman who died two weeks after she was shot during an attempted murder-suicide has been ruled as a homicide.

No charges against officer in deadly Jefferson City shooting

May 21, 2020 12:47 PM Matthew Sanders

The Cole County prosecuting attorney said Wednesday that he will not file charges against a Jefferson City police officer who fatally shot a suspect last month.

Boonville prison inmate charged with murder in overdose death

May 15, 2020 4:35 PM Matthew Sanders

Prosecutors have charged a Boonville Correctional Center inmate with murder after he allegedly provided a fatal dose of fentanyl to another inmate.

Search for missing Columbia woman ends for the week

May 12, 2020 5:57 PM Matthew Sanders

The search for a missing Columbia woman has wrapped up for the week because of expected rain and storms.

Crews return to Lamine River in search of missing mom

May 6, 2020 9:37 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ) Search teams returned to the Lamine River on Wednesday, in search of a missing Columbia mother. “Our goal is really to gain some closure for the family and to truly investigate to a point where we find evidence of her body and close the case,” Brittany Hilderbrand, a Columbia Police Department spokesperson

Columbia man pleads guilty to murder in 2018 killing

May 5, 2020 9:48 AM Matt Ragsdale

A Columbia man pleaded guilty to a murder charge on Monday in connection with a 2018 killing at an apartment complex.

Columbia police to build levee on Lamine River to find missing Columbia woman

April 29, 2020 3:43 PM Sydney Olsen

The Columbia Police Department announced Wednesday it will work with local and state partners to build a levee at the Lamine River to help in the search for a missing woman.

Woman pleads guilty in Columbia killing

April 29, 2020 12:12 PM Matthew Sanders

One of seven people charged with murder in what investigators said was a drug deal turned bad pleaded guilty to a drug charge Monday.

Judge gives 17-year sentence in Columbia murder case

April 29, 2020 10:14 AM Matthew Sanders

A Columbia man pleaded guilty to murder Monday in a January 2019 killing.

Moberly man sentenced to 20 years in prison for murder

April 17, 2020 6:20 PM Matthew Sanders

A Moberly man will spend 20 years in prison without parole after pleading guilty Friday in the killings of two men in December 2018.

Reptile dealer murder case to be heard in another county

April 10, 2020 4:17 PM ABC 17 News Team

The murder trial of a man accused in the killing of a Montgomery County reptile breeder has been moved to Audrain County.

Jefferson City man gets 20 years in prison for murder

April 8, 2020 4:03 PM Matthew Sanders

A Jefferson City man was sentenced to 20 years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to murder.

Joseph Elledge pleads not guilty to three felony charges.

Judge sets trial date in Columbia murder case

April 8, 2020 5:36 AM Brittany Wiley

The Columbia man accused of murdering his wife will head to trial in June.

High-profile attorney to represent Columbia man charged in wife’s disappearance

March 10, 2020 6:47 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A high-profile Missouri attorney will represent a Columbia man charged in connection with his wife’s disappearance. Scott Rosenblum of St. Louis will defend Joseph Elledge in a Boone County murder case. Rosenblum told ABC 17 News he looked forward to defending Elledge in court. A grand jury indicted Elledge with first-degree murder

Judge denies bond for suspect in Cole County teen’s 1991 killing

March 9, 2020 10:56 AM Molly Stawinoga

William “Chris” Niemet, the man arrested in the 1991 shooting death of a teenager in Cole County, could find out Monday whether he will get a chance to get out of jail on bond.

Jefferson City teen gets 12-year suspended sentence in connection with 2018 killing

March 4, 2020 11:21 AM Matt Ragsdale

A Jefferson City teen was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree robbery in December.