WARSAW, Mo. — Investigators are asking for the public’s help in identifying the body of a female found floating in Truman Lake over the weekend. A source familiar with the investigation said the woman’s body was found near One Mile Bridge in Warsaw.
A couple fishing near the bridge discovered the body floating in shallow water on Sunday. Authorities say the body is that of a white female between the ages of 13 and 20, with dark hair and approximately 5’8″ in height.
Investigators say that the victim appeared to have been weighted down, and was in the water for anywhere from a few days to up to six months.
Investigators believe the woman may be from out of state, as they have not been successful in matching her to any known missing persons in Missouri. Benton County Sheriff Rick Fajen also said it’s possible the woman was never reported missing.
“There’s any number of things that could come into play here,” he said. “Somebody knows this person is missing and we’re hoping that by getting the news out, we can find out who it is.”
Jim Fergerson, owner of Ferg’s Diner in Warsaw, said a lot of people visit the lake to fish and hunt.
“You see all kinds,” he said. “Especially this time of year. You see a lot of people on vacations. They come from all over — Kansas, California, just about any state of the Union.”
The woman’s remains have been sent to the crime lab in Columbia, Mo.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at (660) 438-5252, or the Missouri Highway Patrol at (816) 622-0800.
