UPDATE: The Cass County Prosecutor’s office has filed charges against Cody J. Alford, 20, of Peculiar, Missouri in the death of Megan Wheeler. He has been charged with the felony of leaving the scene of a motor accident and is being held at the Cass County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
The Cass County Sheriff's Office announced on Tuesday that the death of 32-year-old mother Megan Wheeler is now being investigated as a deadly hit-and-run.
Investigators said Wheeler likely died after being hit by a Dodge truck while walking home over the weekend.
On Sunday, a group of cyclists found Wheeler's body in a ditch between I-49 South and Peculiar Drive.
On Tuesday, investigators said they were searching for a 1994-2002 Dodge truck (model 1500, 2500, or 3500) with damage to its front passenger area.
Wheeler's death has left many people around Cass County shocked and confused.
"No one can understand it and no one can believe it's happened," explained Dianne Hon, who taught Wheeler at Sherwood High School. "I just hope somebody comes forward with information so that they can at least give her family some idea of what happened."
Friends said Wheeler was recently engaged, and she was often seen around town smiling and with her children.
"She was a very good mom and always put her kids first,” said Hon.
Others, like Rachel Kurzweil, said they hope police find whoever is responsible soon.
"I just don't understand," she said. "Why her? On the side of the road like she was nothing? She was a person, a mother."
By Tuesday evening, investigators were still searching for the suspect involved in the hit-and-run.
Anyone with information can contact the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
