GLADSTONE, Mo. — Gladstone Police began searching a lake at I-35 and Chouteau Trafficway Monday morning for the murder weapon that they believe their suspect used to kill AT&T employee Kevin Mashburn, 58, early Wednesday morning.
Bryan J. Middlemas, 35, was arrested late Saturday evening for the murder of Mashburn.
Middlemas spent two years in jail on drug possession charges. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday afternoon.
Police say Middlemas called a former cellmate after beating Mashburn with a crow bar because he wouldn’t hand over his wallet.
According to police, the search for a murder weapon led them to Chaumeire Lake, which is located a couple of blocks north of the crime scene. Police would not say what information specifically led them to search the lake.
Kevin Mashburn was found severely injured early Wednesday morning inside his AT&T Utility truck parked in a yard in the 2700 block of 57th Terrace in Gladstone.
According to the probable cause statement, Mashburn texted for help, which finally came about an hour after he was attacked. By the time police arrived at about 3:40 a.m., he was not breathing.
The probable cause statement says Mashburn sent his first text at 2:52 a.m. to AT&T dispatch.
Mashburn- II HAVE BEEN ATTACKED- HELP ME PLEASE (2:52 a.m.)
Mashburn- I am in Gladstone, MO. AT THE KENDALLWOOD APT. COMPLEX OFF ANTIOCH (2:53 a.m.)
Mashburn- DO YOU READ ME? (2:54 a.m. )
Amanda- I got it (3:11 a.m.)
Clay County Prosecutors filed charges of Murder in the First Degree, Armed Criminal Action, and Attempted First Degree Robbery against Middlemas.
Middlemas is being held in the Clay County Jail in lieu of $1 million bond.
Read More Here About the Brutal Murder of 58-Year-Old Kevin Mashburn
