DEXTER, Mo. -- A body found near Dexter on Sept. 6 has been identified as that of 37-year-old Shawn Byron Smith, a former resident of Dexter.

Smith's body was discovered in a grassy area behind a residence on County Road 403. Because of significant decomposition, the body was sent to the St. Louis Medical Examiner's Office for positive identification.

According to Stoddard County Coroner Aaron Mathis, attempts to identify the body through hospital records were initially inconclusive. DNA records finally provided a positive identification.

The exact cause of Smith's death has not yet been released. That information, according to Mathis, will come from the anthropologist who has worked on the case in the St. Louis office. Whether foul play was involved will also be revealed through the anthropologist's findings, along with the approximate date of death.

Smith had been employed in Hollister, Mo., at the time of his death.

Family members have known for the past month that the unidentified body was likely that of Smith.

Pertinent address:

Dexter, Mo.