Human remains discovered in Moniteau County identified

Authorities said Monday that the human remains found in rural Moniteau County on Aug. 9 were identified as Cody Odean Thirlwall, 32, Jefferson City.

The Missouri Highway Patrol said an examination of dental records confirmed the remains were Thirlwall's.

The patrol previously had reported that Thirlwall's remains were discovered by a hunter, near Enon.

They continue to investigate the cause and circumstances surrounding Thirlwall's death.

In February, Thirlwall was charged with one count of second-degree burglary for breaking into a home on East Capitol Avenue.

Thirlwall was found by two other people checking on the property for owner Barbara Buescher.

Sounds of someone running were heard from the back of the residence, and witnesses said they saw Thirlwall running out of the house.

He got into a vehicle, which witnesses described for police, who were then able to stop it in the 600 block of Ohio Street.

Officers brought witnesses over and they identified Thirlwall as the person seen running from the Capitol Avenue home.

Although he denied ever being inside the residence, a search of the vehicle Thirlwall had been in turned up a crate of old memorabilia which later was determined to have been taken from the Capitol Avenue home.

Cole County Circuit Judge Dan Green issued an arrest warrant on June 25, after Thirlwall failed to appear for a court hearing in the burglary case.

"We can't say how long the body was out at the scene," Patrol Sgt. Kevin Hunter said Monday. "Interviewing potential witnesses and individuals who could yield information that's helpful in the investigation is part of the normal process for us.

"An anthropologist investigation has been ordered based on the fact that the cause of death was not obvious, due to the state of decomposition of the body.

"They will look at bones and evidence that might give a cause of death."