The amateur mixed martial arts fighter David Koenig who went missing in February 2020, has been found but sadly not alive. His remains were instead found by a man looking for deer antlers in Missouri. USA Today reports that Dave Koenig’s remains were found on December 22, 2021, in a wooded area in Branson.
A forensic odonatologist was able to confirm the human remains belong to Koenig, according to the Branson Police Department. A search recovered most of Koenig’s remains and other personal articles.
“The examination of the remains conducted by a forensic pathologist determined that there was no trauma and that the death did not appear to be the result of foul play,” the police department stated in a news release.
In September, Koenig’s mother, Tracy, spoke about her missing son. He was reportedly staying at a budget motel, Peach Tree Inn, a few blocks off Branson’s Highway 76 attraction strip. It’s not clear exactly where he went next. Koenig was reported as missing in March 2020, according to multiple published reports.
Tracy Koenig confirmed the news Monday that her son’s remains had been found.
“He was not shot, stabbed, no broken bones of any sort,” Tracy Koenig wrote on social media. “He wasn’t robbed, as his tattered wallet was still intact as well as the two silver necklaces he always (wore) amongst some other things.”
Here is what Branson Police Chief Jeff Matthews had to say:
“Our department and the amazing group of volunteers never stopped in our efforts to find Mr. Koenig. While this is not the ending we hoped for, we offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Koenig.”
There are still more questions than answers. If there was no foul play, why would he just randomly walk into a heavily wooded area to die?
Flip to the next page for Dave Koenig’s mother’s Facebook post about her son’s death and video that traces his last steps on Earth.