A Columbia man, who had been reported missing, was found deceased in Callaway County near Cedar Creek just before 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16.
Callaway County emergency service officials were notified of the missing/injured person investigation at 5:21 p.m. Thursday, according to a Callaway County Sheriff's Office press release. The investigation, which started in Boone County, led Boone County authorities to search the Mark Twain National Forest grounds. Authorities had received a call that the victim, 53-year-old Randall Fennewald of Columbia, was injured and medical assistance was needed.
Further information led authorities to believe that Fennewald could be in Callaway County, which is when Callaway County responders joined in the search. A 6:55 p.m., The Callaway County Sheriff's Office was notified that the Missouri State Highway Patrol aircraft had found the victim deceased near Cedar Creek. Fennewald was near Callaway County Road 354's access point to the forest. Due to the rugged terrain in that area, the recovery effort was lengthy, the press release stated. Law enforcement and fire officials used a boat to recover Fennewald.
An autopsy is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 17 in Boone/Callaway Medical Examiner's Office in Columbia. No foul play is suspected at this time, however, it remains an open law enforcement investigation.