Man charged in 1986 Franklin County cold case murder
For 34 years, Kristen Edwards’ family has waited for justice. No one was in custody. That changed this week thanks to a new cold case unit in Missouri
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Mo. — On Saturday, July 5, 1986, Kristen Edwards’ husband came home to an unsettling scene. His wife was missing from their house in Sullivan, Missouri.
She seemingly disappeared in the middle of a normal day. A meal was left half eaten. The TV was on. Her purse was in the couple’s truck, which was parked on the driveway.
Her body was found in a field three days later about a half-mile from her home. She was nude and partially covered by sticks. A medical examiner determined she was strangled to death.
For 34 years, Edwards’ family has waited for justice. No one was in custody charged with her murder. That changed this week.
Kenneth Avery was charged with second-degree