KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After initially thinking a pedestrian had died in a tragic crash, Kansas City police are now investigating an incident from early this week as a homicide.
KCPD identified Elliott Herring, 29, as the man found dead near Interstate 49 and Red Bridge Road around 12:30 a.m. on Monday. His death is being investigated as the city's 91st homicide of the year.
Friends and family hope a witness will come forward, because Herring's body was found in a heavily trafficked area.
Shianna Burgett has been friends with Herring for 11 years. The two went to college together at the University of Central Missouri and also lived in the same apartment complex near where Herring's body was found.
“I’m just literally at a loss for words," Burgett said. "It’s like, why? Why would somebody do this to him? Not that it should be done to anybody, but he’s just not prone to those type of situations. He’s not with those types of crowds. He doesn’t live that type of lifestyle."
Police found Herring's body close to a car on the shoulder near the exit ramp to Red Bridge Road. The investigation has yet to determine a cause of death.
Burgett said she and Herring spent most of Sunday together.
“We went shopping, we came back to my place, we watched TV and we were together probably until 5, 6 o’clock," she said.
After the two parted ways, Burgett said she did not know where Herring went or what his plans were for later in the evening.
But Burgett said the car found near Herring's body was not his. She said his car is missing from their apartment complex.
While waiting for answers, Burgett said she's trying to remember Herring for the person he was.
"Elliott was just a good heart, he’s a good soul," Burgett said. "Deep down, he’s just a great person, and it’s really sad that we had to lose him at all, but especially in this manner, is just like, he didn’t deserve this."
A balloon release will take place Saturday at Hogan Preparatory Academy in Herring's honor.
There is a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in Herring's death. Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477 or the KCPD Homicide Unit at 816-234-5043.
