COLUMBIA (AP) - Boone County authorities are looking to close the case of a man who went missing in 2011 and is presumed dead.
Detectives suspect foul play in the disappearance of Charlie Bell, but haven't found definitive evidence to prove he's dead.
Two people were charged in connection with Bell's disappearance. Jennifer Freeman told authorities she and Patrick Curl saw someone else kill Bell at his home near Harrisburg. Freeman said she and Curl helped clean up the scene and Curl helped get rid of Bell's motorcycle.
Curl pleaded guilty Monday to tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution, a crime that's punishable by up to four years in prison. Prosecutors dropped two other charges against Curl due to a lack of sufficient evidence. His sentence hearing is set for next month.
Freeman's next court date hasn't been scheduled yet. It wasn't immediately clear if she has an attorney in the case.
Boone County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Merilee Crockett on Tuesday said that Bell's family has been "long-suffering" with his disappearance and urges anyone with information to come forward.
"We still continue to need information, and we will continue to follow up on any information," Crockett said.
The Boone County Sheriff's Department investigation in the case has been "labor-intensive," said detective Tom O'Sullivan. He said deputies drained and searched a pond in an effort to find Bell and searched his home whenever he was reported missing.