Less than an hour south of the Iowa border sits Kirksville, Missouri. The small city has a population of 17,534.

If you travel southwest of the city, you'll find the Youngstown Trail. It's quite rural out that way.

Though he didn't live there, Stephen Munn of Kirksville owned land in the area. On the morning of July 5, he was shot and killed on the property by Jesse Rongey, a man who was living in a shed on the property. The exact motivation behind the shooting remains unknown, though it's easy to assume Rongey was trespassing on the property.

What is suspected of Rongey though, is clear.

Per KTVO, "Law enforcement officers say after Rongey shot Munn, the suspect dismembered the body with a reciprocating saw and a hand saw and then burned the body parts on a burn pile."

The only way to determine the identity of Munn was by way of DNA testing -- court documents detailed that medical examiners found pellets like those that are found in shotgun shells during an autopsy.

KTVO continues, detailing what Rongey was charged with on Friday last week: "first-degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, abandonment of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution."

Rongey has also previously been charged with first-degree child molestation according to the Missouri Sex Offender Registry. He was charged with the crime in 2008 when he was 25 years old.

An arrest warrant is currently out for Rongey as he remains on the run. Authorities say that he may have altered his appearance by shaving his head and/or beard.

 

The sheriff's office also posted the following images on their Facebook page that may help identify Rongey:

Law enforcement adds that he is considered armed and dangerous and civilians should not approach him.

If you know anything regarding his whereabouts, you are asked to call the Adair County Sheriff's Office at 660-665-4644 or your local police station.

Munn's daughter set up a GoFundMe to help pay for her father's cremation.

12 Awesome Midwest Treehouses You Can Rent This Summer

If you're looking for a fun Midwest getaway this summer, consider staying in a treehouse! Here are some of the coolest treehouses you can book on Airbnb!

A Renovated Theatre Rejuvenates Small Iowa Community

The Ida Grove Foundation had enough of watching the building crumble. Put together by a group of passionate people, The KING Theatre has returned to its glory days.

More From 97.7 KCRR