MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Water Patrol Division, Post Office Box 568, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0568


News Release

For further information please contact: Sgt. Jerry Callahan
573-751-3313
WPD20110509
5-9-2011

EMPHASIS: Troopers Arrest Couple For Staging A Fake Drowning On The Missouri River In Howard County

On May 8, 2011, Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers arrested a Stover couple in Camden County in connection to a false report of a drowning incident on the Missouri River at Franklin Island in Howard County. Robert T. Gabauer, 44, and Michelle L. Miesner, 43, both of Stover, MO, were arrested for felony attempted commission of fraudulent insurance act and filing a false police report.

On the night of May 7, 2011, the Missouri State Highway Patrol was called to assist the Howard County Sheriff’s Department with a report that Gabauer drowned while fishing at Franklin Island on the Missouri River. Personnel from the Howard County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, volunteer fire personnel, and a Highway Patrol aircraft searched the waters before calling off the effort due to darkness. On the morning of May 8, troopers began continued recovery efforts for Gabauer’s body. Further interviews with the witness Miesner by Howard County deputies and Highway Patrol officers revealed inconsistencies.
On the evening of May 8, 2011, Gabauer was located in Camden County where both he and Miesner were taken into custody and transported to the Howard County Jail.

The charges mentioned above are mere accusation and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
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