Missouri State Highway Patrol Seeks New Leads in 1985 Dent County Death Investigation

Dent Co., Mo. (KFMO) - The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) is renewing its appeal for information in the unsolved 1985 suspicious death of 68-year-old William "Bill" Sundermeyer, of Rolla.

Sundermeyer was last seen on June 7 or 8, 1985, in Rolla. His body was discovered on June 10, 1985, in rural Dent County. While the case was originally investigated in 1985, it has remained unsolved despite numerous investigative leads over the past four decades.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, investigators have continued following up on tips and information received throughout the years. Officials say Sundermeyer's family has now offered a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for his death.

Sergeant Bradley Germann of the Division of Drug and Crime Control said investigators believe there are individuals who know additional details about what happened.

"Sundermeyer was 68 years old at the time of his death; however, there is evidence and/or circumstances regarding this case which make it suspicious in nature," Germann said. "We believe there are individuals who know details about the incident and what happened to Sundermeyer. We ask those individuals who know more about the incident to contact investigators. The Sundermeyer family deserve to know what happened to their father and grandfather. I believe this case can be solved with the help from the community."

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact Corporal Jonny Fariole with the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control at 573-368-2345, extension 3950.

Investigators hope renewed public attention and community assistance will help bring answers to Sundermeyer's family more than 40 years after his death.