Body Found in Mississippi River Near Festus, Investigation Ongoing

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An investigation is underway after a woman's body was discovered floating in the Mississippi River near Festus, Missouri on Monday morning. Barge workers at a concrete company found the body around 8:30 a.m. near River Cement Road, and authorities responded to the scene to recover the remains. The woman's identity has not been released, and investigators are still working to determine how long the body had been in the water and where the woman may have come from.

Why it matters

The discovery of a body in the Mississippi River near Festus raises concerns about public safety and potential criminal activity in the area. Authorities are working to gather more information about the woman's identity and the circumstances surrounding her death in order to provide answers to the community.

The details

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, barge workers at a concrete company found the woman's body floating in the Mississippi River around 8:30 a.m. on Monday morning. Troopers responded to the scene near River Cement Road in unincorporated Jefferson County, just south of the Festus–Crystal City area, and recovered the body, which was later transported to a medical examiner's office for further evaluation.

• The body was discovered on Monday, February 18, 2026 around 8:30 a.m.

What’s next

Investigators have not determined how long the body had been in the water or where the woman may have come from. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with information related to the case to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol.