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Prosecutor Dies By Suicide In Court In Red State; Building Sealed Off

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A longtime Missouri prosecutor was found dead inside a county courthouse Thursday afternoon, prompting authorities to seal off the building as investigators worked the scene.

Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd, 53, was discovered inside the Platte County Courthouse after law enforcement responded shortly after 2:15 p.m.

Local reports citing sources said Zahnd died by suicide inside the building. Platte County Sheriff Erik Holland said Thursday that the official cause of death remained under investigation.

The courthouse was closed following the discovery and remained shut Friday as authorities continued their work.

Platte County Presiding Judge Myles Perry said the building was expected to reopen Monday.

Zahnd had served as Platte County’s prosecuting attorney since 2002, making him the longest-serving prosecutor in the county’s history.

He announced in April that he planned to leave office at the end of the year.

Speaking about that decision at the time, Zahnd said it was the ‘right time to step back from public life and just do something else.’

He had endorsed First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mark Gibson, whom Zahnd hired in 2004, to succeed him.

Zahnd was named Missouri’s Prosecutor of the Year in 2014 and spent much of his career focused on crimes involving children, sex offenders and repeat offenders.

A profile on the county’s website said: ‘Mr. Zahnd’s top priorities are protecting children, prosecuting sex offenders, and cracking down on career criminals.’

He also played a role in advancing Jessica’s Law in Missouri, which imposed tougher penalties for certain child sex offenses, and supported mandatory prison sentences for some convicted internet predators.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway mourned Zahnd’s death in a statement.

‘I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd.

‘I have known Eric for many years and have always held him in the highest regard. Eric was a true patriot, a person of remarkable character and integrity, and a public servant who cared deeply about his community.

‘We are very grateful for his dedication to public safety, the rule of law, and Platte County.

‘My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Tracy, and sons, Benjamin and Luke, during this incredibly difficult time.’

Tim Garrison, executive director of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, also remembered Zahnd as a respected figure among prosecutors statewide and nationally.

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‘Eric was a beloved and highly respected member of our association.

‘Eric was a dear friend, mentor, and trusted colleague to prosecutors across Missouri and, through his extensive work with the National District Attorneys Association, across the country.

‘He helped guide many of those serving in the profession today, and generations of Missouri attorneys benefited from his counsel, encouragement, and support.

‘Above all, Eric was a devoted husband and father. He often spoke of his family as his greatest accomplishment and took tremendous pride in the life he built with his wife of more than 30 years, Tracy, and their sons.

‘Eric’s charisma, intelligence, and warmth were magnetic. It is difficult to put the magnitude of this loss into words.

‘His absence will be deeply felt throughout the prosecutor, law enforcement, and broader public safety communities, and by the many people whose lives he touched.

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Tracy, his sons, and the entire Zahnd family. We hope their privacy will be respected as they grieve this unimaginable loss.’

Authorities have not publicly released additional details about the circumstances surrounding Zahnd’s death.

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