New evidence ‘changes the entire course’ of missing mom case
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
After finding human remains at Rock Bridge State Park Thursday afternoon, police are working to identify the body. The Columbia Police Department has said the remains could be of Columbia missing mom Menngqi Ji.
Personal property believed to be Ji's, as well as, bank, credit card documents and a driver's license were found with the remains.
In a news conference Thursday night, the police said it can not officially confirm the identity of the remains until DNA testing is completed.
Former Cole County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Tackett said finding remains is a major pivot for the prosecution.
"This development changes the entire course of the case," Tackett said. "This is what gives prosecutors gray hair."
Investigators extensively searched an access point to the Lamine River for months in 2020 looking for Ji's remains. Police said during the conference that investigators searched an area of the state park for Ji's remains but not where the remains were found.
Tackett said the investigation comes down to the forensics department to find any evidence linking Joseph Elledge, who is accused of Ji's death, to the remains.
Dr. Michael Graham, professor of pathology at St. Louis University, said identifying the body and figuring out the cause of death depends on the state of the body and what it will be compared to.
"That would be problematic trying to make that diagnosis if the body has skeletonized," Graham said. "If the soft tissues in the neck are partially preserved you may be able to get some incite but that's a tough diagnosis to make."
Stephanie Golda a forensic anthropologist at Columbia College said the remains could indicate when the person passed to see if it matches the time Ji disappeared as well as if the body experienced trauma.
"Most trauma analysis would affect soft tissue but there are markings and different signatures we look for on the bones," Golda said. "The (markings) can indicate the individual experienced sharp force or blunt force trauma to the body."
Elledge faces a count of first-degree murder in the case. As of Friday, Elledge was in the Boone County Jail being held without bond. A trial date has been set in the case for November.
