Hearing scheduled for man accused of murdering missing Columbia mother

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Joseph Elledge, who was charged with murdering his wife Mengqi Ji in February, has court hearings scheduled Friday.

Elledge's hearings are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in both his first degree murder and child abuse cases.

Elledge was arrested on child abuse charges on Oct. 26 of 2019, and was formally charged three days later.

Elledge was then charged with murdering Mengqi Ji earlier this year, on Feb. 19.

Court documents in the case indicated that Elledge may have strangled his wife before dumping her body in a remote location.

Police announced Wednesday that they would continue to search the Lamine River in Cooper County for Ji's body.

That search was originally called off in June.

Elledge has maintained his innocence throughout, pleading not guilty to all charges. Elledge's attorney said that his client is looking forward to clearing his name in trial.