Top assistant sworn in as interim Boone County prosecutor; autopsy for Dan Knight Tuesday

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -

The top assistant in the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney's Office will take over as interim prosecutor.

The prosecutor's office tells ABC 17 News that Nick Komoroski was sworn in as prosecutor on Saturday. He will serve as the county's top prosecutor following the death of former prosecutor Dan Knight.

Columbia police continue to investigate Knight's death. Columbia police chief Geoff Jones said officers were dispatched to his south Columbia home around 9:35 a.m. for a gunshot victim. Jones said officers found Knight dead, but Jones did not suspect foul play was involved.

An autopsy for Knight will take place Tuesday, according to Dori Burke at the Boone/Callaway Medical Examiner's Office. The autopsy will help investigators determine a cause and manner of Knight's death.

Komoroski has worked in the prosecutor's office for six years, according to his LinkedIn profile. He won a conviction in the Matthew McMillan felony murder case. Komoroski argued that McMillan started a fight in a north Columbia Waffle House in 2018 that led to a security guard shooting and killing another man.

"I am shocked and saddened by Dan's sudden passing, and my heart breaks for him and his family," Komoroski told ABC 17 News. "He worked so hard for the victims in Boone County and his absence is a terrible loss for this community. My plan will be to continue his mission of fighting for the victims and their families. I learned so much from Dan. He was a good mentor and a better friend, and I truly believe that all of the employees of the prosecutor's office and I will strive to continue his work."

Gov. Mike Parson can appoint a new prosecutor to take over the office until the end of the year. Only Roger Johnson, a former top assistant to Knight, has filed to run for the office this November. The winner of that race will take over the prosecutor's office for the next four years.