E11
December 3, 2025

EMPHASIS: Human Remains Found In Ripley County Identified
On November 4, 2025, human remains were found on private property in rural Ripley County, MO. Following an autopsy on November 7, 2025, the remains were identified as Jerry B. Hale, date of birth November 20, 1972. Mr. Hale had been reported missing to the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office on August 28, 2019.

This investigation is active and on-going and is being conducted by the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, the Ripley County Coroner’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol - Division of Drug and Crime Control. If anyone has any information related to this case, they are asked to contact the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office at 573-996-2719 or Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Jeff Johnson at 573-840-9500.