WARSAW, Mo. — The body of a female found in Truman Lake has been identified as 15-year-old Khighla L. Parks.
Parks was last seen around 5 p.m. on Sept. 20, walking near her home in Willard, Mo. Willard is located about 10 miles northwest of Springfield. Parks’ remains were found floating in shallow water Sunday, Sept. 30, near One Mile Bridge in Warsaw, Mo. A couple fishing discovered her remains.
During the initial investigation, police said the victim appeared to have been weighted down and was in the water for an unknown period of time — anywhere from a few days to six months.
Police said when searching the missing person’s database, they did come across Parks’ name, but the time missing and description of the body was not an exact match. Police said it wasn’t until they spoke with Parks’ grandmother that they were able to run a DNA test, which confirmed the body was that of 15-year-old Khighla Parks.
Related: Police say body found in lake was weighted down
After Parks disappeared from her rural Missouri neighborhood, friends and family posted flyers around the community, hoping she would be found safe.
Police said they have no suspects at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at 660.438.5252 or the Green County Sheriff’s Office at 417.868.4040.