Body found in Interstate 70 median in Columbia identified

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia police say a body found in the median of Interstate 70 on the city's east side Wednesday had likely been there about 12 hours when it was reported.

Police were called to the 131.5 mile marker at about 1 p.m. Wednesday for a report of a person lying in the median. Officers found Ezekiel Rachow, 30, of Columbia, dead, according to a Columbia Police Department news release.

Police think Rachow died after a crash that was reported at 1 a.m. Wednesday. Police and firefighters responded to the crash involving a gray Ford Fusion sedan and an unknown object, according to the release.

It was not clear why police and firefighters did not find Rachow during the first call only to be called back 12 hours later.

Traffic was slowed down in the area for much of the afternoon as officers investigated. One lane of westbound I-70 remained closed for several hours.

Police say they're continuing to investigate.