Overview
- Zahnd, the Platte County prosecuting attorney since 2002, was found dead inside the county courthouse on Thursday and deputies temporarily closed the building as they began a death investigation.
- The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it received a request from the Platte County sheriff in mid‑June to investigate criminal allegations involving Zahnd and that the probe was active at the time of his death.
- Sheriff’s officials and state law enforcement have declined to give further details about how Zahnd died and the courthouse remained closed while investigators worked.
- Zahnd had announced in April that he would retire at the end of 2026 and had endorsed his first assistant, Mark Gibson, as his preferred successor.
- State and local leaders including the attorney general and governor issued public condolences and Zahnd’s long record in high‑profile prosecutions and policy efforts will shape questions about office continuity and pending cases.