Spickard woman found dead

RIDGEWAY, MO — The body of a woman found on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, on private property near Ridgeway has been identified as a Spickard woman. Brooke Peery Whitney was found in a field in rural Ridgeway, about 11 miles northeast of Bethany. The  the death is being investigated as suspicious and that authorities are awaiting the results of an autopsy and toxicology testing before determining if the death should be classified as a homicide. No one has been arrested or charged in the death, which is being investigated by the Harrison County Sheriffʼs office and the Missouri Highway Patrol. Ms. Whitney was reported to have last resided with family members in Mercer County, but also recently lived at Bethany and Cainsville. Funeral services for Ms. Whitney were held on Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Roberson Funeral Home in Bethany. The body was cremated. Area survivors include her mother, Mary Thomas and grandparents, Bill and Vicky Waldron, all of Spickard. She also has three children, Haley, James and Hidey of New Hampton.