WASHINGTON COUNTY, Mo. (News First) – It has been confirmed. Human remains discovered in a burned-out vehicle in Washington County are that of 63-year-old Dale Ryerson of Sullivan. News First told you a few weeks ago that on October 22nd, Sullivan police sent out an endangered person report that Ryerson had been kidnapped from his home. A person of interest, 34-year-old Cody Hunt was arrested two days later. The Washington County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged Hunt with five felonies… abandonment of a corpse, knowingly burning or exploding, tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution, tampering with a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Back on October 22nd, Ryerson’s neighbor told police he witnessed Ryerson being dragged from his home, placed inside a Jeep Grand Cherokee and the suspect then drove away. Hunt has been sent back to prison for violating his parole. He could still be charged with murder out of Franklin County. Hunt’s initial arraignment in Washington County has been scheduled for December 11th. Washington County firefighters discovered the burned-out vehicle with Ryerson’s body inside after they were called to a wooded area to put out a brush fire.
