The Independence Police Department confirmed Sunday that a 19-year-old man, who had been reported missing the previous day, was the same individual found deceased in a vehicle in Kansas City. The tragic discovery occurred on Sunday, November 24, when authorities responded to a call about a slumped-over person in a vehicle at the intersection of I-435 and Truman Road.
Kansas City, Missouri, police arrived at the scene at approximately 4:45 p.m. to find a man who appeared to have sustained a gunshot wound. The victim, later identified as Preston Bell, was declared dead at the scene. Bell, from Independence, had been reported missing earlier that day, prompting a widespread search for him.
Preston Bell was last seen around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, when he was forcibly taken into his car outside his residence. His family immediately grew concerned when they could not reach him afterward. On Sunday, the Independence Police Department issued a missing person alert for Bell, hoping to gather information from the public. Unfortunately, it was later confirmed that the body found in Kansas City was that of Bell.
The discovery of his body on Sunday evening has led the Independence Police Department to classify Bell’s death as a homicide. Authorities are currently investigating the incident, but as of now, no suspects have been identified, and no further details have been disclosed regarding the circumstances of the crime.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with relevant information about Bell’s disappearance or the events surrounding his death to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously to the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. The case has left family, friends, and the community in shock, as they struggle to come to terms with the untimely loss of the young man.
As the investigation continues, Preston Bell’s family remains in mourning, devastated by the loss of their loved one. The community is rallying around them, hoping for justice and answers in the wake of this senseless tragedy. Authorities are committed to uncovering the truth and bringing those responsible to justice.