Audrain County Sheriff Matt Oller has released additional information regarding the death of 19 year old Antonio Jefferson along Audrain County Road 913 on December 12, 2017.
Oller reports no leads have led to discovering the movements of Jefferson just prior to Jefferson being found at 12:03 PM in the roadway, with the car on fire near him. The 15 unaccounted for minutes could be the key to providing closure in this case.
Over 20 investigators and police officers gathered and began reviewing evidence and leads immediately following his death. Based on the timeline, along with some of the circumstances, investigators agreed Antonio Jefferson’s wounds could have been self inflicted. Without solid evidence to support that possibility, the investigation remains open.
At 9:30 that morning, Jefferson had reported for a court appearance, before going home and discussing the hearing with a family member.
At 11:27, Jefferson arrived at Wal-Mart in Mexico and went to the kitchen section where he selected a knife. He spoke to no one except the clerk in the store. At 11:31, Jefferson gets back into the car he was driving alone and was last seen traveling north on Clark Street.
A passerby found Jefferson lying in the roadway and calls 911 at 12:03, bleeding heavily and “thrashing” indicating he was alive. Within 5 minutes a farmer arrived along with a first responder.
Lifesaving efforts were made, and Jefferson was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The knife purchased at Wal-Mart was located near Jefferson’s body, with only Jefferson’s DNA on it. Additional evidence is at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Lab for testing.
An autopsy indicated Jefferson died of blood loss from wounds consistent with a sharp object.
There is no indication the fire in the vehicle was intentionally set, and the car appears to have struck a tree at the crime scene at a slow speed.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Audrain County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit at 573-473-5801.
