Missing Madison County Woman Located Safe

Madison Co., Mo. (KFMO) - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office says Phylisa Cooper, the Fredericktown woman who had been missing since February, has been located and is safe.

The sheriff’s office provided the update over the weekend, saying Cooper is now enrolled in a long-term program that is not located in the area.

Cooper, 45, was last known to have contact with others on February 21, 2026. During the investigation into her disappearance, Madison County detectives determined that her last known whereabouts were in Butler County, Missouri.

Investigators previously learned that Cooper had voluntarily admitted herself to a mental health facility in Butler County before later being transferred to a second facility in the county. Investigators believed she eventually left the second facility on foot, which had been the last confirmed location established during the search.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office worked with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office throughout the investigation to locate Cooper.

Officials have not released additional details about where Cooper was located or the long-term program in which she is now enrolled.

The sheriff’s office says Cooper is safe.

Jefferson Co., Mo. (KFMO) - The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has announced that Robert Winkelman, the suspect in the July 25 double shooting in House Springs, has died.

According to authorities, Winkelman died Sunday, August 2nd, at a local hospital.

Investigators say Winkelman shot himself in the head at the scene of the crime on July 25th as deputies approached and attempted to take him into custody.

The shooting occurred in the area of Doetzel Drive in House Springs. Detectives alleged that Winkelman confronted people at a neighboring residence before shooting a 38-year-old woman in the head. Authorities said the woman’s 17-year-old daughter was then shot while attempting to provide first aid to her mother.

Both victims were transported to area hospitals in critical condition and later died from their injuries.

Following the victims’ deaths, the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office upgraded the case to include two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action against Winkelman.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation into the incident remains active and ongoing despite the suspect’s death.