Body of missing man discovered

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. – Human remains discovered Sunday, Jan. 22 are believed to be those of a man missing for more than two years.

According to a news release from New Madrid County Sheriff William “Bud” Cooper, the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department was notified by the Portageville Police of human remains located in a Portageville warehouse. The remains were found in a portion of the warehouse that was not in use.

At the scene, New Madrid County investigators and Portageville Police officers determined the remains were those of Butch W. Swofford. Swofford was last seen walking near the Portageville Fire Department on Baker Avenue in Portageville on Nov. 25, 2020.

The cause of death is not being released by authorities. An autopsy is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24.