Homicide Victim Identified

The man whose body was found in the 26-thousand block of Oklahoma Drive has been identified by the Laclede County Sheriff’s Office. The deceased is identified as 62 year old Alden Bryant of Lebanon. Bryant was reported missing by family members on July 10th after his mobile home burnt on July 9. His body was located in a wooded area more than 100 yards from the burned mobile home, on July 11. Bryant lived alone in the trailer and at the time of the fire Bryant’s truck, a 1994 Ford, was not at the residence. Information on the missing truck was released by the Sheriff’s Office in the early morning hours of July 12. On July 13 just before mid-night the truck was located by the Springfield Police Department at a Fast and Friendly located at Kansas and Division. When the vehicle was located by Springfield police officers, they arrested 33 year old Sterling King of Billings. He was arrested on a drug possession charge. King is now in the Laclede County Jail reference a violation of an order of protection. An autopsy performed on Thursday found that Bryant died as the result of blunt force trauma.