Human remains found last year at Rocky Forks Conservation Area identified as Columbia man who went missing in 2023

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department has identified the person from human remains that were found last year at Rock Forks Lake Conservation Area.

Police wrote in a Wednesday press release that the remains were of Daniel Thompson, 41, who was a Columbia man who went missing in 2023. Police wrote in the release that the remains were identified on March 17.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced last year that human remains were found on March 22, 2025, at Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation Area in Boone County. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office had asked the MSHP Division of Drug and Crime Control to investigate the scene, according to previous reporting.

In July 2023, Missouri Missing conducted multiple searches for Thompson after his vehicle was found at the Rocky Fork Conservation Area. 

Several bodies have been found in that area over the years, including the remains of Angela Rice in 2022, which were found more than three months after she was reported missing.

In August 2022, the Missouri State Highway Patrol identified the body of Michael Smith, who went missing while fishing with two friends, previous reporting indicates.

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