SPRINGFIELD, Missouri (KY3) – Sheriff Jim Arnott of Greene County confirms the bodies of three found in Benton County, Missouri. Monday is a father and his two children are missing on Friday.
Darrell Peak and his two sons Mayson Peak, 3, and Kaiden Peak, 4, disappeared on Thursday night. Investigators found their bodies in an area near US 65, near Warsaw, on Monday night.
Greene County investigators say the search for a father and two children has become more worrying over time. The investigators assumed that Peak had no plans to return to the Springfield area. Detectives made several attempts to issue an Amber Alert, but this case did not meet the criteria. The Greene County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol issued a Person in Danger Warning in the case at 4:30 pm on Friday.
According to the sheriff’s office, the children were last seen around 7 pm Thursday in Warsaw, Missouri. However, the The missing person incident was reported around 10:30 am on Friday at a house on block 1200 East FR 28 in Pleasant Hope. The sheriff’s office said a Benton County deputy located the Darrell Peak vehicle north of Warsaw, abandoned along US 65, at about 8 pm Thursday. The authorities responded to the area after receiving a report that two small children were walking along State Highway 65. In replying, a deputy noted who she believed to be Darrell and the children going up the highway. When she turned to check, no one was walking on the highway. Early Thursday evening, a Missouri state highway policeman stopped to assist Peak on State Highway 65, also north of Warsaw, at around 5:30 pm. According to the officer, the children were with Peak at the time and appeared to be fine, but their father also refused any help.
Darrell Peak suffered from depression and has made suicidal statements in the past, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Family members told authorities that Peak’s behavior was out of the ordinary. Family members worked around the clock to try to find the three. Some of Peak’s other children quickly began a search in the Springfield area.
Investigators say Peak told employees at an Oklahoma casino on Wednesday that he was withdrawing money from an ATM to start a new life with his children.
The Greene County District Attorney filed charges of kidnapping parents against Peak on Monday.
To report a correction or typo, send an email [email protected]
Copyright 2021 KY3. All rights reserved.