Death now investigated as a homicide

HARRISON COUNTY, MO — An investigation into the death of Brooke Whitney, 28, of Ridgeway is being treated as a homicide. Authorities are attempting to retrace the movements of the young woman after she was dropped off at the Hy-Vee Food Store in Bethany, some 19 days before her body was found in a farm field near Ridgeway. Although an autopsy provided positive identification, the cause of death will not be known until the results from an autopsy and a toxicology report are issued. Brooke Whitney, the mother of three children, was reportedly picked up by a male friend at the grocery store on Aug. 22, 2012. The last time she was seen was when she stopped by her mother’s house later that day to pick up her clothes. She was reported missing on Sept. 5. Her body was found by a passerby during the evening of Sept. 9. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office at 660-425-3199.