One year later. No answers.

Mystery remains around murder of local Long; investigation still open
 
On March 31, 2021, Willard resident Russell Long was seen for the last time by a member of his family. On June 4, his remains were found on Farm Rd. 59, two miles northwest of Bois D’Arc. About three-and-a-half months later, Captain Marc Staeger, of the Criminal Investigations Division of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), told the Commonwealth that they were looking into a person of interest in Long’s death, but couldn’t release their name.
Since then, there has been nothing new to report.
“There are no new updates for this case,” said Paige Rippee, public information officer for the GCSO, in response to a media inquiry regarding the investigation into Long’s death.
Rippee added that it’s still an open investigation.
The Commonwealth previously reported that Kassandra Niemeier, Long’s sister, described the circumstances under which Long disappeared.
“(The) family member said they saw Russell leave in a vehicle, possibly a white SUV, from their home ... in Willard,” Kassandra Niemeier, Long’s sister said after Long was reported missing. “It was late evening. We are not for sure who he was leaving with or why.”
Long, who worked as a tree feller, left his truck at the relative’s house in Willard with his keys and wallet inside, something Niemeier called “highly unusual” at the time.
After Long’s remains were found, the GCSO declared his death a homicide, but did not state what the cause of death was. It also had not been determined whether he died at the location where he was found or died elsewhere, and his remains were later moved there.
Anyone with any information on Long’s disappearance is asked to call the tip line at the Greene County Sheriff’s Office at (417)829-6230.