From staff reports
news@joplinglobe.com
STARK CITY, Mo. — A Stark City veteran whose body was recovered a mile from his home earlier this week died of exposure, authorities said Friday.
Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland said there were “no signs of foul play” based on the preliminary autopsy results released in the death of Ernest Jensen, 62. Completion of the autopsy should provide an approximate cause of death, the sheriff said.
Authorities recovered Jensen’s body at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday about a mile from his home in Stark City.
It is unknown, he said, how long Jensen had been at the location where he was found.
Jensen was last seen walking into the woods near his home on Vixen Road about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, Copeland said. Jensen, a Vietnam War veteran, reportedly suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, Copeland said.
The sheriff said Jensen had disappeared from his home before.
Authorities had searched the area around Jensen’s home, employing dogs, a helicopter and vehicles, Copeland said. Area fire departments also searched the area.
Officers on Wednesday were calling area homeless shelters and veterans hospitals in their search to locate Jensen.
