Autopsy on body recovered in Perche Creek to be conducted Tuesday

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Boone County Medical Examiner is set to perform an autopsy Tuesday on a body found in Perche Creek, an MU Health Care spokesman confirmed on Monday.

The Boone County Sheriff's Office recovered the body Sunday night. The body was allegedly found altered suspiciously and in a decomposing state inside a container. The container was found by fishermen in the area after they saw it floating in the water.

Jason West, a City of Columbia Utilities spokesman, confirmed with ABC 17 News on Monday the container was a City of Columbia roll cart. The Solid Waste division is also working with investigators on where the cart was registered.

West adds that roll carts are managed by the city, with roll carts assigned to a specific address. Nearly 38,000 carts are currently being used in the city. According to the city's website, carts will have barcodes assigned to a specific address and a missing or stolen cart will be brought back to its assigned location if reported.

Capt. Brian Leer with the Boone County Sheriff's office told ABC 17 News investigators have not been reported at the scene today. However, officials may return to the area as the investigation continues. He adds that with current weather conditions, investigations may be affected by changing water levels.

The department has also not yet released any suspects related to the investigation.

Check back for updates.