CRITTENDEN COUNTY, Ark. — The Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department announced that DNA testing has finally identified the man whose body was recovered from the Mississippi River in April 1988. The deceased is Kevin Eugene Sander, a 34‑year‑old from Scott City, Missouri.
Investigation and DNA breakthrough
According to Sheriff Michael Allen, Sander was reported missing after falling overboard from a barge near Dyersburg, Tenn., in February 1988. He left behind a wife and two young sons, ages three and six. On April 9, 1988, a fisherman from Walls, Miss., discovered a body floating near the Walls Landing boat dock. The find was reported to the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department, which alerted Crittenden County officials.
The body was taken to the Arkansas medical examiner’s office in Little Rock, where the cause of death was ruled drowning with no signs of trauma. For decades the victim remained unknown.
DNA match leads to family
In late July, Capt. Chelsey Stafford traveled to Cape Girardeau, Mo., and secured voluntary DNA samples from two of Sander’s brothers. The samples were processed by the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, and the results confirmed the identification.
Sheriff Allen praised Capt. Stafford and Samantha Smith, the laboratory’s cold‑case coordinator, for their perseverance in resolving the case.
Family closure
Sander’s cremated remains will be released to his family, providing long‑awaited closure for his wife and children. The successful use of modern DNA techniques underscores the value of cold‑case resources for bringing answers to families affected by tragic losses.
Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.
