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At a news conference on March 25, Columbia Police said that human remains and property found at Rock Bridge State Park might be consistent with Mengqi Ji, reported missing in October 2019.
At approximately 1 p.m., Columbia Police were notified by Missouri State Park Rangers that possible human remains were located at Rock Bridge State Park. It was reported that a hiker in the park came across items that appeared to be human remains and immediately contacted Park Rangers.
Due to the property being located at a state park, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) was notified and responded to assist in processing the scene.
During the investigation, items located at the scene were found to be consistent with items that reportedly belonged to Mengqi Ji.
Columbia Police cannot say with absolute certainty that these remains belong to Mengqi Ji. The identification process will be extensive and will include DNA testing.
During the extensive course of this investigation, evidence repeatedly suggested that Mengqi Ji’s body may have been in the Lamine River near the Missouri Route 41 Bridge.
Columbia Police reached out to other local, state and federal agencies requesting assistance for the search at the Lamine River. Special equipment and skills were needed to conduct the search.
"We went where the evidence led us and followed every lead," said Police Chief Geoff Jones. "We also knew she might be in another location and will continue to follow up using extensive lab and DNA testing to confirm what we have found."
CPD is grateful for the ongoing support from Mengji Ji’s family throughout this investigation. The Department will continue to stand with the family during the prosecution phase of this process.
"We used a lot of resources and volunteers to make this happen and will forever appreciate their dedication to this case," Jones said. "The time, energy and expertise that was provided were all necessary to bring this search to an end as well as bring the necessary closure to Mengqi Ji’s loved ones."
Mayor Brian Treece added he hopes this allows the community to find the answers we have been searching for.
"This case has served as an example that CPD does not give up on providing closure for families and community members impacted by incidents like this," Treece said.
Anyone with information regarding Mengqi Ji’s disappearance and this case is asked to contact the Columbia Police Department at 573.874.7652 or CrimeStoppers at 573.875.TIPS to remain anonymous.
Background information:
At approximately 5:45 p.m. on October 10, 2019 Joseph Elledge reported his wife, Mengqi Ji missing. He reported having last seen her on October 8 at approximately 11:30 p.m., when she went to bed. Elledge reported when he woke up Wednesday, Oct. 9, at approximately 5 a.m., she was gone. He waited approximately a day and a half to report her as missing.
During the investigation, detectives located evidence of child abuse for the child that Elledge and Mengqi Ji shared. Detectives found probable cause to arrest Elledge for child abuse and has been remanded in the custody of the Boone County Jail. (Case 2019-011282)
As the investigation for Mengqi Ji continued, detectives learned Elledge had visited several conservation areas surrounding Boone County prior to reporting her as a missing person to CPD. Moving forward, extensive aerial and ground searches were conducted near Ashland Lake and the Pine Ridge Recreation Campground.
Detectives were able to track the route he took from his cellular phone, and learned that there was one specific location that he spent more time at than the other locations. This location was identified as the De Bourgmont Access of the Lamine River at Hwy 41, which is just outside of Boonville, Missouri in Cooper County.
Using the location history of his phone, detectives learned that he was at the De Bourgmont Access for approximately 45 minutes.
Joseph Elledge was indicted for Murder in the first Degree by a grand jury on February 28, 2020 in Boone County while the search for the remains of Mengqi Ji continued
Case number: 2019-010707
Previous press release(s):
Columbia Police continue the search for the body of missing Columbia woman, Mengqi Ji Elledge
Columbia Police release Community Briefing video on the missing Columbia woman, Mengqi Ji Elledge
UPDATE: Search for missing Columbia woman, Menigqi Ji Elledge
UPDATE: Columbia Police begin a criminal investigation into the disappearance of Mengqi Ji Elledge
Columbia Police asking for public's help locating Mengqi Ji Elledge
Link to Community Briefing Videos: