Rural Missouri Major Case Squad to take over Warrensburg homicide investigation

WARRENSBURG, Mo. - A special group of investigators is expected to convene this week in hopes of finding the person responsible for the shooting death of a Warrensburg bar owner that prompted safety alerts at nearby University of Central Missouri.

Three Johnson County Sheriff’s Office detectives and officers from eight other counties form the Rural Missouri Major Case Squad, which will take over the investigation into the murder of William “Blaine” Whitworth.

UCM students were sent the first of two alerts about the shooting around 10 p.m. Saturday, about 30 minutes after authorities were called to Whitworth’ home, about a mile and a half from the campus.

Arriving officers found Whitworth, a former UCM student and owner of two local bars, dead outside of his house.

Both of Whitworth’s bars, Bodies on West Pine Street and Molly’s on Holden Street, were closed Sunday.

Friends say the 25-year-old also sponsored local sports teams and helped out the less fortunate.

“He took a homeless guy in and helped him get his GED and get back on his feet,” said friend Megan Brown, who worked with Whitworth for a year at Bodies.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Warrensburg Police Department, 660-747-9133.