Missouri police are warning that more evidence linked to an alleged violent kidnapper could be located in the state’s namesake river after the remains of a potential witness were found there last month.
Authorities made the announcement after the discovery of the body of Jaynie Crosdale, 36, in July.
Crosdale was previously identified as a “potential witness” to a case involving Timothy Haslett Jr, a white man accused of kidnapping, raping and imprisoning a Black woman, NBC reported.
“We have asked the public to remain vigilant for any suspicious objects, such as blue barrels, particularly on or around the Missouri River,” said Alexander Higginbotham, a spokesperson for the Clay county prosecuting attorney’s office, according to NBC News.
“We have reason to believe that additional evidence may be contained in another blue barrel that could be located on the Missouri River.”
A spokesperson for Excelsior Springs police told the Guardian a homicide investigation into Crosdale’s death is under way. The spokesperson also said investigators had not immediately determined a cause of death, but they had not ruled out foul play.
Haslett was named as a “potential suspect” in Crosdale’s death, Excelsior Springs police chief Gregory Dull said to the Kansas City Star. “My personal opinion: he’s done more than what he’s already charged for,” said Dull of Haslett to the Star. “But being able to prove that is a totally different thing.”
In January, Excelsior Springs police announced that they were unable to find Crosdale, who they believe had information on the Haslett investigation, CBS reported.
Haslett was arrested in October after a 22-year-old woman escaped from Haslett’s home and received assistance from neighbors.
The woman was reportedly barely clothed, wearing a metal collar, and had duct tape around her mouth when she banged on various doors for help.
The unidentified victim told police that Haslett had picked her up from Kansas City in September and held her captive in his basement for weeks. The woman alleged she was whipped and raped repeatedly by Haslett. She managed to escape, she said, when Haslett left the home to take his child to school.
Haslett was charged in February with nine counts, including rape, kidnapping, assault and sodomy, CBS reported. He faces up to five life sentences in prison if found guilty.
