Bones of missing Springfield woman found near Fordland
The skeletal remains of a missing Springfield woman were found near Fordland earlier this week, according to authorities.
Webster County Sheriff Roye Cole said the body of 22-year-old Ashley Onescu was found on Sunday in Webster County. Onescu had been missing from Springfield since June.
Cole said in a news release that Onescu's death "is considered suspicious and foul play is believed to be involved."
A missing person poster on the Missouri State Highway Patrol website says that Onescu was last seen on June 30 at the Library Station, in Springfield getting into a green Pontiac with two males.
A Facebook page was set up to help find Onescu called "Bring Ashley Onescu Cunningham Home." On Wednesday, administrators on that site made the following post:
"At this time it has been confirmed that the remains found in Fordland on Sunday are those of Ashley's. We are heartbroken over the loss of our Daughter, Sister, Mother and Friend. We are begging that if anyone has any information at all to please come forward and contact the Springfield police. God Bless Ashley."
Springfield police spokeswoman Lisa Cox said Onescu's husband reported her missing on the evening of July 7, and a detective was assigned to the case.
"Our detectives did quite a few interviews with her associates last summer and fall," Cox said.
Cox said police will now be turning over evidence to the Webster County Sheriff's Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol to help with their homicide investigation.
A release from Springfield police in August asking for the public's help in finding Onescu says that she did not have access to her prescribed medications. The release said that she had gone missing in the past but had always contacted family members.
A representative with Republic High School said Onescu attended school there but withdrew as a junior in 2009 and was home-schooled.
The Webster County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information on the case to call 417-864-1810.