Missing Randolph County teen found dead; prosecutor says homicide charges possible
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A 16-year-old girl who had been missing since last week has been found dead, according to the Randolph County Sheriff's Office.
Randolph County Sheriff Andy Boggs stated in a press release sent early Thursday, "This is not the outcome anyone hoped or prayed for, and our hearts go out to Kayla’s family, friends, classmates, and all those affected by this tragic loss. The Randolph County community has come together over the course of this investigation, and this news weighs heavily on all involved."
Boggs told ABC 17 News that a Randolph County resident found Huff's body in the Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area around 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
Kayla Huff had been missing since last Wednesday. The release states this is now a homicide investigation.
The announcement of investigators finding Huff comes one day after three people were charged in connection with her disappearance.
Alayna Mason, 20, was charged Wednesday in Randolph County with first-degree kidnapping related to the disappearance of Kayla Huff, also of Moberly. Two other suspects, Hunter Ames, 19, and Christopher Hull, 23, were charged with kidnapping and felony evidence tampering.
Another man, Julian Mason, was charged Thursday.
Emotions were high at court hearings for four suspects Thursday, with one woman crying and yelling out "tell the truth!" at Alayna Mason.
Cameras were not allowed in the courtroom, which was packed with a crowd that included Huff's family members.
Ahead of the hearing, Randolph County Prosecutor Stephanie Luntsford said she is reviewing new evidence to see if additional or upgraded charges could be added.
"It is the position of my office to review the evidence very carefully and to very diligently and zealously pursue prosecution for any offenses we believe have been committed," Luntsford said.
She said murder charges could be added based on evidence. Luntsford didn't specify when or if those charges will be applied at Thursday's arraignment.
According to a probable cause statement, Mason told investigators that she, with help from Ames and Hull, had taken Huff to the Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area in Randolph County with an unknown person in the trunk of a vehicle, where they beat and shot her. Ames allegedly told investigators that the group killed Huff.
Volunteers and search and rescue crews had been combing through the Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area in Randolph County, looking for Huff after she disappeared.
Randolph County Sheriff Andy Boggs stated in the release, "On behalf of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, I want to extend our deepest condolences to Kayla’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. This case has deeply impacted our community and the men and women involved in this investigation."
Immanuel Baptist Church in Moberly will host a "day of healing" on Friday and again from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday for those affected by Huff's death, said Pastor Randy Paxton. He said he and Huff's sister have a background in mental health and counseling and wanted to help the community.
Huff took classes at Moberly Public Schools online. School leaders are working with the church and Burrell Behavioral Health to provide counseling, the district said in a statement.
Paxton said close to 350 people attended a prayer service at the church for Huff on Sunday.
"I had five other pastors join me in that prayer time," Paxton said. "Lives were changed. And our whole community has just come out in just ways that we could never even imagine them coming out."
