Remains confirmed as Smithville man missing since 2022. Criminal investigation ongoing
Smithville police on Tuesday said they have confirmed remains found in the city were those of Ryan Weeks, who went missing in 2022.
Police said in a statement that they were continuing a criminal investigation into Weeks’ death “due to circumstances surrounding the discovery and condition of Mr. Weeks’ remains.”
In August, Smithville police reopened an investigation into Weeks’ 2022 disappearance after new information was brought to the attention of investigators, police said. Investigators found skeletal remains in Smithville and sent them to a forensic examiner and a team of anthropologists, who assisted in confirming they belonged to Weeks.
Police released a statement from Weeks’ family urging anyone with information about his death to contact police.
“Recently, we received the confirmation we had both hoped for and feared,” the statement said. “After all this time, my father has been found. Tragically, he is no longer with us. This experience has been profoundly difficult marked by prolonged uncertainty, emotional strain, and unanswered questions. Despite this, we take some measure of comfort in believing he is now at peace and watching over us.”
Anyone with information about Weeks’ death may contact police by calling 816-532-0500.
