Body reported found in the county

A body has been discovered in the southern part of Moniteau County, according to information released by the Missouri Highway Patrol and the Moniteau County Sheriff's Department. Sgt. Kevin Hunter, of the Highway Patrol, said that following the discovery of the body, the Sheriff's Department had requested the assistance of the patrol in conducting the investigation.

According to Sheriff Jeptha Gump, the department was called to the area Saturday evening, at which time it was confirmed that a badly decomposed body had been found in a wooded area southwest of Russellville in Moniteau County. The Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control was called for assistance in the investigation.

An autopsy was reportedly scheduled for Tuesday. Sgt. Hunter said Monday that due to the amount of decomposition it couldn't be determined remains were of a man or a woman. The age was also undetermined.

"We can't rule out foul play as a cause, but were still very early into this investigation so we have to look at all possibilities," he said. "As in any case with an unidentified body there is immediately speculation about whether or not it might be someone that has been missing for some time. We don't want to make any assumptions and give any false hope to families of those still missing so until we get the autopsy results we're giving just the basics about this case."