The skeletal remains of a missing mother were uncovered in a wooded area in Missouri over the weekend, authorities confirmed.
The discovery of Emily Strite’s body comes nearly six months after she was reported missing in April. Her remains, identified through medical and dental records, were found on Saturday by a homeowner in DeSoto, approximately 45 miles southwest of St. Louis, according to a statement from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The mother of four was last seen leaving a friend’s house in the De Soto area on foot the morning of April 12, police said. Strite, who’d been in and out of an abusive relationship with the father of three of her four children, had been staying there at the time, her family told Fox 2.
A cause of death has not yet been determined, and police said an investigation into Strite’s disappearance and death is ongoing. No suspect or person-of-interest has been officially identified.
Strite’s family in a statement asked for privacy, citing the ongoing investigation.
“[Due] to the ongoing investigation, we ‘Emily’s Family’ are asking that nobody visits/disturbs the area mentioned of where Emily was recovered,” Strite’s mother posted on social media after authorities confirmed her body had been found. “Please respect our wishes and stay away from the area. We will share details when they are available.”
Anyone with information in the case has been asked to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
