Missing man found dead in Three Creeks Conservation Area

Authorities identified the victim as Randall Fennewald, 53, Columbia. An autopsy will be done today, but no foul play is believed to have occurred.

EARLIER COVERAGE

Boone County law enforcement officers and rescue personnel were looking for a man who said he fell in the Three Creeks Conservation Area Thursday afternoon.

A Highway Patrol helicopter and search dogs from Task Force One were assisting in that search, looking for a man in his mid-50s, wearing blue jeans and a gray hoodie.

Colin Wright with the Southern Boone County Fire Protection District said officials got a call about 1:30 p.m. from the victim, who said he had fallen from a bluff and hit his head.

Wright said they lost contact with the man but have been able to ping his cell phone from time to time.

Officials have not released his name.

They also were searching for his vehicle - a 2014 white Jeep Wrangler with a cloth top and a toy animal on the dashboard.

Any one who has seen that Jeep is urged to call the Columbia/Boone County Joint Communications, at 573-874-7470.

Wright said investigators were searching a more than 1,500-acre area about half-way between Columbia and Ashland - and are concerned the man may not have been certain of his location when he called.