Man found beaten in AT&T truck in Gladstone, dies from injuries

GLADSTONE, Mo. - Police say a longtime  AT&T worker died early Wednesday after an assault in Gladstone.

Residents at an apartment complex in the 2700 block of NE 57th Terrace called police around 3 a.m. about a suspicious vehicle, Gladstone Police Capt. Jesse McClendon said.

Arriving officers found the victim, 58-year-old Kevin Mashburn, inside an AT&T utility truck. He was transported to an area hospital, where he later died.

McClendon said Mashburn appeared to be the victim of some sort of assault. He did not have any information on a potential suspect.

AT&T Kansas-Missouri Market Manager Chris Lester said Mashburn had worked for AT&T for 41 years.

"Today, we were saddened to learn of the death of one of our employees,"Lester said. "The employee's family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers. AT&T is fully cooperating with authorities in their investigation. "

Mashburn leaves behind his wife of 33 years, two sons, two daughters and a granddaughter.

"If everyone had a dad like mine, like ours, stuff like this wouldn't happen.  You'd just be raised a little better than that," eldest son William said.  "I feel like my dad was newsworthy on any day just for being a rockstar human being.  It's unfortunate that anyone is learning about him now after something like this."

Mashburn was a member of Local 6360 CWA, and union president Joseph Blanco says he is working with AT&T to determine if this attack could have been prevented and if any contractual safety measures need to be added.

Mashburn’s death marks the fifth homicide in Gladstone in 2012, an all-time high for the city.

If you know anything about what happened, you are urged to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.