Missing Person Located Near County Road 309 — Multi-Agency Search Brings Closure

Maries County, MO - Early this morning, members of the Maries County Sheriff's Office and the Belle Police Department, with assistance from Osage Ambulance and seven human-remains-detection (HRD) K9 teams from Gateway Search Dogs Inc. and SAR K9 Co-op Inc. conducted a coordinated search in a heavily wooded area near Maries County Road 309. During this operation, searchers located an individual believed to be Devin Gehlert. Next of kin has been notified.

Mr. Gehlert was reported missing in 2023. Over the last two years, local law enforcement conducted numerous interviews and pursued a large volume of tips. Volunteers repeatedly searched the woods near his residence without success. Acting on separate leads, the Gasconade County Sheriff's Office drained a pond, and another pond in Osage County was searched by Osage County Sheriff's Office using a remote underwater vehicle equipped with cameras and advanced sonar-both efforts yielded no results.

The Sheriff's Office extends sincere thanks to everyone who assisted over the past two years, including community members who provided information and volunteered time. Special recognition goes to Belle Police Officer Kevin Green and Maries County Sheriff's Sergeant Ryan Ervin, who led the renewed search effort and coordinated the HRD K9 teams that ultimately located Mr. Gehlert. We also thank Osage Ambulance for deploying its mobile command RV, which allowed real-time tracking of K9 teams and provided vital logistical support for personnel in the field.

This is not the outcome any of us hoped for, but it offers a measure of closure for the family. Today shows what is possible when agencies pool resources, share information, and work as one team.

Out of respect for the family and to protect the integrity of the ongoing death investigation, no additional details will be released at this time. Anyone with information relevant to this case is asked to contact the Maries County Sheriff's Office at 573-422-3381.