Body of missing St. Francois County man found in Wayne County

WAYNE COUNTY-- Wayne County Sheriff Dean Finch says his office received a call around 9:54 a.m. on Saturday about the body of a male found near the Markham Springs Recreation area of the Black River.

According to Finch, the remains were identified on Monday afternoon as that of Kenneth Willard. Finch said Willard died of a gunshot wound.

The matter is under investigation and foul play is suspected. There are no suspects at this time, police said.

Willard, 53, of Bismarck, left his home for a hunting trip in Stoddard County on Oct. 20, 2014, and was expected to return five days later. He was last seen by his daughter on Oct. 24, at the Arab Station Convenience Store at the junction of Highway 51 and Highway C, in Zalma.

According to Stoddard County Sheriff's Department Detective Andy Holden, Willard's disappearance had been narrowed down to approximately Oct. 27 or 28.

"He was actually reported missing on Dec. 14," Holden explained. "So we were about six weeks out from when he actually went missing when we got the report."

According to law enforcement officials, Willard's wife and other family members explained that he had a history of disappearing for a few weeks at a time without letting anyone know.

Holden explained that he was been able to find when Willard's cell phone was last used, as well as the last time his debit card was used. Beyond that, though, no more solid information had been forthcoming.