Body Recovered Near Festus Identified as Missing St. Louis Teen

Jefferson Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A body recovered from the Mississippi River near Festus has been identified as an 18-year-old who had been missing from St. Louis City since late December.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, barge workers discovered the body along River Cement Road, just south of Festus, on February 16, 2026. Troopers responded to the scene and recovered the body, which was then transported to the St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s Office for identification and an autopsy.

On February 18, the Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the body as 18-year-old Wuaniata Gibson. Gibson had been reported missing from St. Louis City on December 24, 2025, after last being seen leaving the 8800 block of Portland Terrace on December 22.

The investigation into the official cause of death is ongoing.