Remains believed to be those of man missing since 2018 found

MOKANE, Mo. (AP) - Remains that are believed to be those of a man who has been missing for more than a year have been found in central Missouri.

The Audrain and Callaway County sheriff’s office said in a combined news release that authorities have “every reason to believe” that the remains found Saturday morning in a rural area west of Mokane are those of Matthew Beauchamp.

The discovery was made after both departments received credible information Friday about their location, according to the release, which was posted on Facebook. It said the Boone/Callaway County Medical Examiner’s Office will make the formal identification and determine the cause of death.

The Audrain County Sheriff’s Office had opened a missing person investigation in April because Beauchamp had not been in contact with his family or heard from since September 2018.

The release said there is “no known threat to public safety”and that the persons of interest are cooperating with investigators.

Mokane is located about 20 miles (32.19 kilometers) northeast of Jefferson City.