County authorities await full autopsy report

Authorities are currently awaiting the autopsy results before ruling a cause of death in the case of the body found in a drainage ditch south of Kennett.

According to Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder, it could take up to six weeks before the final autopsy results are in and the official ruling cannot be made until then.

Shortly before 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, a local farmer called in a report of a body lying halfway in the water and halfway on land in the Buffalo drainage ditch at the junction of Highway Y and County Road 524.

There was no identification present on the body, however, following an investigation, it was determined that the deceased was Michael Chandler, 52, of Senath, Mo.

The Dunklin County Sheriff's Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Senath Police Department, Malden Police Department, and Dunklin County Major Case Squad continues to investigate the incident.

The Daily Dunklin Democrat will provide more information as it becomes available.