KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Days after the tragic murder of 23-year-old Cody Harter, friends and family members continued to remember the Missouri Air National Guard member following the arrest of a suspect in the case.
On Thursday, investigators charged 58-year-old Nicholas Webb with second-degree murder and armed criminal action. Webb previously served time in prison for a 1980 murder.
Harter’s death brought shock to those who knew him, including friend Ty Bigelow.
“I went to high school with him and had mutual friends,” explained Bigelow, who lives in St. Joseph and attended Central High School. “He was just an all-around nice guy who was always willing to help.”
Bigelow said the two developed a bond through dirt biking, which Harter introduced to him.
“One day, he talked me into getting a dirt bike and I ended up doing it. From then on, we’d leave on the weekends and ride dirt bikes,” he explained. “He showed me every little thing on the bike, like how to do turns and how to change my oil.”
The friendship continued on after high school and through Harter’s time in the Missouri Air National Guard.
However, tragedy struck this past weekend.
According to court documents, Lee’s Summit police officers responded to I-470 near Colbern Road on a report of a man on the ground. When officers arrived, they found Harter with a large wound. His vehicle was still at the scene.
Harter's cause of death was determined to be an injury to the heart caused by a "single-edged knife."
Investigators said his death likely occurred after an apparent road rage incident.
“He’s not known for confrontation with people so for it to happen to him is just mind-boggling,” Bigelow explained. “Cody was never known for going out of his way to cause a problem with somebody. He was always helping somebody.”
Following the arrest of Webb on Thursday, Bigelow hoped the focus could be put on remembering Harter.
“It won’t bring Cody back, but it may just give us a little peace of mind that [Webb] is not out there,” he explained.
In the days after the tragedy, Bigelow has made special decals featuring the number Harter had on his dirt bike.
Moving forward, Bigelow hoped to carry on the legacy of his good friend.
“I’m gonna ride my dirt bike every weekend and every time I do I’m going to remember him,” he explained. “Every time I get on my bike, I’m going to remember him. I just wish I could do it with him.”
Friends and family gathered on Thursday evening for a special remembrance event in honor of Harter.
On Friday, the funeral for Harter will be held at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph.
