An autopsy conducted at Mineral Area Hospital in Farmington, Missouri confirmed that William Joseph Wilkerson, 20, died of a gunshot wound to the head.
The body was identified using family-provided information about Wilkerson's extensive medical history, which included 17 major surgeries before the age of 2, enabling a match based on the numerous scars.
The body was discovered in a wooded area of Ripley County, Missouri.
Daily American Republic
DONIPHAN, Mo. -- An autopsy confirmed that the body authorities found in a wooded area of Ripley County Wednesday afternoon is that of a Doniphan man.
Based on preliminary findings from the autopsy performed Thursday at Mineral Area Hospital in Farmington, William Joseph Wilkerson, 20, died of a gunshot wound to his head, according to Ripley County Coroner Mike Jackson.
During the autopsy, the pathologist positively identified the body, Jackson said.
"What we used was family information," Jackson said. "He had an extensive health history for a 20-year-old kid. His dad said he had had 17 major surgeries before he was 2 years old. Scar after scar after scar is what we were able to match up."
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