HARRISBURG, MO -- Update: Thursday, Aug. 18 at 2:20 p.m.:
The Howard County sheriff says deputies are following a few leads and tips, but said nothing was groundbreaking at this point.
Sheriff Charlie Polson said they are looking for two people who were riding their bicycles the day Jonathan Spurling was murdered. Polson said they are not suspects, but may have witnessed or heard something that could help deputies. Neighbors told the sheriff's office about the bicyclists.
Sheriff Polson also said there may be a suspect vehicle the department is looking into, but said he'll let KRCG know if it turns out to be a possible clue in the murder case.
Polson said he is still hopeful they'll find the person or persons responsible for the killing.
Update: Wednesday, August 17 at 7:45 p.m.:
Neighbors say the stretch of County Road 117 in Howard County is usually quiet, that was until Tuesday.
Police cars and an ambulance showed up at the home of 39 year old Jonathan Spurling.
Police say he lived alone and was last seen here Monday afternoon after a barbeque, then he didn't show up for work on Tuesday, his father got worried, came over to the house and found him in the basement with a gunshot wound to his head.
Sheriff Charlie Polson said it's a sad situation, "He was single, had a 19 year old son, but was living there by himself , there was a neighbor about a quarter of a mile each way down the road".
We talked to neighbors and nobody heard anything.
Polson said nothing was stolen from the home, and they're still trying to determine a motive.
The Major Case Squad has been activated because of such little information.
Update: Wednesday, August 17 at 12:45 p.m.:
The Howard County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed with KRCG the man who was killed was Jonathan E. Spurling, 39.
The sheriff’s office also said Spurling died Monday afternoon, not Wednesday, at his home in the 200 block of County Road 117 in Harrisburg.
Spurling’s father found him dead Tuesday evening after Spurling’s employer called and said he didn’t make it to work.
The sheriff’s office and the Missouri Highway Patrol are investigating the incident. No word on any suspects at this time. Anyone with information should the Howard County Sheriff’s Office at (660) 248-2477.
Original Story:
The Howard County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide.
Sources told KRCG that when a rural Harrisburg man did not show up for work Wednesday, his father came to the house and found his 39-year-old son had been shot to death in the back of the head.
This story is still developing. Stay with KRCG on the web, Facebook, and Twitter for all the latest updates throughout the day, and stay tuned for a full report on KRCG News Live at Five.
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