Man Searching For Deer Antlers Finds Remains Of Man Missing For Nearly 2 Years

A man on the lookout for deer antlers in Missouri stumbled upon human remains in a wooded area near Fall Creek Road, Branson. Cops said the remains have been identified as that of David Koenig, who went missing nearly two years ago.

The amateur mixed martial arts fighter was reported missing in March 2020. Multiple searches were conducted by law enforcement agencies since his disappearance, according to the Sacramento Bee. His remains were only located on Dec. 22 after a man discovered them while looking for deer antlers.

The remains were sent to a forensic odontologist, who confirmed that they belonged to Koenig, according to a Monday news release from the Branson Police Department.

Koenig was reportedly staying at a budget motel, Peach Tree Inn, before his disappearance. He had sent text messages to his friends saying he could be in danger and asked for help on Feb. 8, 2020, which was also the last day he was seen. His family reported him missing in March, the same year.

“Dave has battled addiction for many years on and off,” Koenig’s mother, Tracy, previously told Branson Tri-Lakes News.

“It wasn’t uncommon for him to go off somewhere and not communicate with us for days and even weeks,” she said about the delay in reporting him missing. “We really thought at first it was exactly what he was doing.”

Along with the discovery of his skeletal remains last week, cops also found Koenig’s wallet and other personal items at the spot near the 3700 block of Fall Creek Road.

“Our department and the amazing group of volunteers never stopped in our efforts to find Mr. Koenig,” Branson Police Chief Jeff Matthews said in a statement. “While this is not the ending we hoped for, we offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Koenig."

Investigators also believe no foul play was involved in his death, according to KIRO 7 News.

“The examination of the remains conducted by a forensic pathologist determined there was no trauma and the death did not appear to be the result of foul play,” the Branson Police Department said on Facebook.

Koenig's mother, Tracy, also took to social media to confirm that a man found her son’s remains by “sheer chance.”

“He was not shot, stabbed, no broken bones of any sort,” Tracy wrote on Facebook. “He wasn’t robbed, as his tattered wallet was still intact as well as the two silver necklaces he always wore amongst some other things.”