A body has been found in a shallow creek in Kansas. It is believed to be the body of Kelsey Smith.
UPDATE 3:20 pm ET: It’s been confirmed it is Kelsey Smith’s body.
UPDATE 3:45 pm ET: There is a suspect in this kidnapping and murder case. He lived approximately 2 miles from Kelsey Smith. He has crossed the border into Missouri.
There is another teenage girl with similar appearance who disappeared about 2 months ago. It’s possible the two cases are related.
GRANDVIEW, Mo. – Police have confirmed that a body found in Longview Lake Park is that of Kelsey Smith.
A search team of 240 police officers and cadets and FBI and DEA agents scoured a large wooded and grassy area in teams of 20. One team discovered the body around 1:30 p.m. near Highgrove and Raytown Roads. It was confirmed to be Kelsey about 3 p.m.
Longview Lake Park is about 20 miles from the Target store where the 18-year-old was abducted on Saturday.
In a news conference at 4 p.m. Police Chief John Douglass said new development does not mean that the public is no longer needed in helping to solve the case. Also, her body being found in Missouri makes it a multi-jurisdictional case and authorities in Kansas, Missouri and from the FBI are in the process of planning the next step.
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