Homicide Archives

Need for new lawyer prolongs Columbia murder case

February 14, 2023 12:07 PM Ethan Heinz

The death of a defense lawyer has prolonged the prosecution of a Columbia man accused in a 2017 murder.

Man convicted in Ben Renick murder claims key witness testimony hearsay

January 31, 2023 6:45 PM Lucas Geisler

ST. LOUIS (KMIZ) The man convicted of helping kill a prominent snake breeder in Montgomery County is asking for a new trial. Attorneys for Michael Humphrey filed his appeal on Jan. 26 in the state’s Eastern District Court of Appeals. The appeal says Judge Jason Lamb should not have allowed a key witness to testify

Columbia police reopen murder investigation into woman’s 1994 death

January 31, 2023 12:53 PM Erika McGuire

Police are reopening a Columbia murder investigation that dates back nearly three decades.

Mexico man accused of arson, murder after fatal December fire

January 27, 2023 11:05 AM Kennedy Miller

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ) The Audrain County prosecutor issued an arrest warrant Thursday for a man who is allegedly connected with a fire in Mexico that killed a woman last month. Brandon Spears, 43, is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree arson and armed criminal action. An apartment complex in the 1200 block of

Jefferson City man found guilty in killing of Lincoln University student

January 25, 2023 4:25 PM Matthew Sanders

A Cole County judge on Wednesday found a Jefferson City man guilty in the deadly shooting of a Lincoln University student in 2018.

One charged in deadly Chariton county shooting

January 21, 2023 3:49 PM abc17news-Newsroom

CHARITON COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Chariton County prosecuting attorney charged 52-year-old Sherri L. Laws with second-degree murder after a deadly shooting in Keytesville. Chariton County deputies were called to a Keytesville home for a fight and found one man dead from an apparent gunshot wound and another man who had also been shot, Troop B

20-year-old Columbia resident identified as victim in deadly Osage Beach shooting

January 21, 2023 7:48 AM Erika McGuire

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (KMIZ) Micah Aman, 20, of Columbia was identified as the victim in a deadly shooting in Osage Beach Friday night. The Osage Beach Police Department is investigating after a Friday evening shooting left one person dead and another hurt. Police were called to the 4100 block of Sunset Drive around 8:25 p.m.

Two shot, one dead, in Chariton County

January 20, 2023 5:17 PM Matthew Sanders

A Friday morning shooting left one man dead and another badly injured in Keytesville, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.

Bench trial continues for Jefferson City man accused of killing Lincoln University student

January 20, 2023 6:11 AM Kennedy Miller

COLE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Jefferson City man facing murder charges for a shooting in 2018, is set to continue his bench trial on Friday morning at the Cole County Courthouse. Alfred Chism Jr. allegedly admitted to killing a Lincoln University student back in 2018. According to court documents, Chism says he shot Charon Session in self-defense. Chism claimed Session had been verbally harassing him prior

Pre-trial conference scheduled for man who confessed to killing his wife in 2006

January 19, 2023 5:47 AM Kennedy Miller

BOONE COUNTY Mo. (KMIZ) On Thursday, a pre-trial conference is scheduled for a Columbia man who admitted to killing his wife back in 2006. Comfort first reported his wife as missing after he allegedly killed her in 2006. After 13 years, Comfort finally confessed to killing his wife, Megan Shultz after she allegedly told him she was

Police identify MU student found dead in fire pit at north Columbia home

January 17, 2023 2:37 PM Matthew Sanders

Columbia police have identified the University of Missouri student officers found dead last week in a fire pit behind a house in north Columbia.

Family of victim grieves following fatal Jefferson City shooting over the weekend

January 16, 2023 1:11 PM Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) – Police have identified the man shot and killed over the weekend in Jefferson City. The department said 27-year-old Michael A. Burns died in a Saturday afternoon shooting at Broadway Street and Atchison Street. Officers were called to the area because of the shooting at 12:01 p.m. Lt. David Williams said

Woman accused of murder to appear in court

January 13, 2023 7:44 AM Kennedy Miller

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated. The victim has yet to be identified by officials. BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A 20-year-old woman accused of murder is expected to appear in court on Friday at 1 p.m. in the Boone County Courthouse. Emma Adams is charged with murder after an “unidentifiable” man was found dead

Man charged with murder in Pulaski County

January 12, 2023 8:38 AM Kennedy Miller

PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A St. Robert, Missouri, man has been charged with murder and other charges in relation to a shooting. Tyron Spence-Bey, 31, is charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm. The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office said in an email that Spence-Bey is being held on a

Columbia woman charged with murder after police find burning, ‘unidentifiable’ remains

January 11, 2023 11:11 AM Matthew Sanders

Police arrested a Columbia woman Tuesday after an investigation that started at a University of Missouri residence hall led to finding a body in a residential area far from campus.

Man convicted of murdering Columbia Daily Tribune Sports Editor released on parole

January 9, 2023 7:38 AM Kennedy Miller

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A man convicted of killing a Columbia Daily Tribune Sports Editor in 2001 was released from prison on Monday at 8 a.m. according to Missouri’s Department of Corrections. Charles Erickson was originally sentenced to 25 years behind bars after confessing to the murder of Kent Heitholt and is set to be released

Hearing held for man accused of murdering baby; autopsy report still not available

January 6, 2023 5:21 PM Kennedy Miller

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A hearing was held Friday at the Boone County Courthouse for a man accused of murdering his baby. Staffone Fountain, 30, of Independence, appeared by video from the Boone County Jail. He is charged with first-degree murder and abandoning a corpse. He is being held without bond in the Boone County Jail. Samone Daniels,

Murder suspect arrested, charged with drug distribution while out on bond

December 22, 2022 12:23 PM Matthew Sanders

A Columbia man charged with felony murder in connection with a January overdose death was charged this week with allegedly selling drugs while he was out on bond.

Man accused of 1984 Columbia rape, attempted murder could challenge arrest

December 9, 2022 5:54 AM Kennedy Miller

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The man accused in a 1984 rape and attempted murder in Columbia could challenge his arrest, according to a North Carolina district attorney. In October, the Columbia Police Department announced DNA findings connected 59-year-old James Wilson to the crime. Wilson is held in the Iredell County Jail on a $1 million bond

Two teens will have a joint trial in Columbia murder case

December 6, 2022 11:05 AM Erika McGuire

Prosecutors will argue Tuesday that a single trial should be held for three teens accused in a February murder in Columbia.