Family seeks answers in Columbia man’s death

Family and friends of Leon Wilder III gathered Saturday afternoon in Columbia to raise money for funeral services and honor his life.

Wilder, 30, was found shot dead on the side of County Road 997 near the Centralia Battlefield Thursday afternoon. The Mid-Missouri Major Case Squad is investigating.

“People that will slaughter somebody like that and throw them on the side of the road don’t need to be on these streets,” said Wilder’s cousin, Ernest Moss. “They need to be somewhere where an animal would be. You don’t just kill somebody like that and throw them on the side of the road like a dog.”

Family and friends released balloons following a BBQ on Demaret Drive in honor of Wilder. Moss described his cousin as “the life of the party” and as a “good guy.”

Moss is asking people with information on what happened to his cousin to come forward.

“Just think if it was your family member, or one of your loved ones or even a friend,” he said. “If they’ve done it once, they’ll do it again. It takes a rare type person to kill someone like that.”

CrimeStoppers is offering a reward leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call 573-875-TIPS to remain anonymous.