Three Southeast Missouri Men Charged in Death of Missing Hayti Woman

Hayti, Mo. (KFMO) - The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control has announced multiple felony charges against three men connected to the disappearance and death of 20-year-old Kaniah P. Jennings of Hayti.

Jennings was last seen the evening of November 3, 2025. The following day, the Hayti Police Department requested assistance from the Highway Patrol, and DDCC investigators took over the case. After following numerous leads, investigators discovered Jennings’ body in rural Pemiscot County. The Pemiscot County Sheriff’s Office played a key role in locating and recovering her body. An autopsy has been scheduled through the St. Francois County Coroner’s Office.

Evidence obtained during the investigation directly connected 34-year-old Keenan E. Peoples of Hayti, 38-year-old Donald F. Peoples Jr. of Caruthersville, and 18-year-old Blake R. Patrick of East Prairie to Jennings’ disappearance and death. Keenan and Donald Peoples had previously been arrested for tampering with evidence, Keenan for evidence related to stolen property and Donald for evidence connected to Jennings’ disappearance. Blake Patrick was already in custody on separate charges, including tampering with a motor vehicle, felony stealing, and two counts of firearm theft.

On November 15, 2025, the Pemiscot County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged Keenan Peoples with first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree rape, and tampering with physical evidence. Donald Peoples was charged with accessory to first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence, while Blake Patrick was charged with accessory to first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, and first-degree rape. Keenan Peoples and Blake Patrick are being held at the Pemiscot County Jail, and Donald Peoples is being held at the Dunklin County Jail. All three are being held without bond.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol thanked multiple agencies for their assistance in the investigation, including the Arkansas State Police, Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office in Arkansas, the Pemiscot and New Madrid County Sheriff’s Offices, and the Hayti and Caruthersville Police Departments.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is encouraged to contact Troop E Headquarters at 573-840-9500.