Remains of man missing since 2020 recovered

Wayne County officials say they have recovered the body of a man reported missing in 2020.

The man has been identified as Patrick Chapman, said Wayne County Sheriff Dean Finch in a press release.

The remains were located in a creek bed east of Mill Spring, Finch said.

The sheriff’s department was contacted Oct. 13 in regards to possible human remains and a human skull was recovered from the creek bed, according to reports.

Finch and J.T. Wilson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol collected the remains and searched the surrounding area, but were unable to locate anything further at that time.

Due to the weather, the search was called of until Oct. 16. Law enforcement returned with cadaver dogs from the Bloomfield area.

“While searching, a pair of coveralls were located, then a pair of shoes (and) a shirt was also located,” Finch said. “Upon searching the coveralls, a cell phone was located in one of the pockets.”

Positive identification was made through the cell phone and a medical procedure plate that had been surgically placed in the spine.

Chapman was originally reported missing in May 2020.

“There have been many searches done with dogs and volunteers from the area and friends and family as well as law enforcement,” Finch said. “It is a sad but happy day that he has been located. Now the family can lay their loved one to rest.”

Finch thanks all those involved in the searches, as well as Krista Tucker, owner of the cadaver dogs, and the Clearwater and Piedmont City volunteer fire departments.