Donna Eye: Missouri woman found dead days after hospital pickup by sheriff's deputy

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MISSOURI: The lifeless body of Donna Eye, a 44-year-old Missouri woman, was found on Wednesday, January 17, marking the end to her disappearance days after she was picked up by a Sheriff's Deputy from a hospital. 

Donna had vanished on January 9 in Washington County, and her disappearance was reported two days later. The Mineral Area Major Case Squad launched an investigation, leading to the grim discovery near a farm less than a half-mile south of state Route 8.

Authorities executed a search warrant for the farm after a resident informed them about finding a body on an adjoining property. The body was later identified by a family member as Donna, as per Fox.

Timeline of Donna Eye's disappearance

The unsettling chain of events began when the 44-year-old Missouri woman, who had been in a hospital, decided to leave on January 8. Washington County Sheriff Zach Jacobsen revealed that a deputy had picked her up to take her home.

Although Donna provided her address, she requested to be dropped off at Shirley School Road, a location that she believed was near her brother's home. However, it was later revealed that the spot was a mile away from her brother Ronald Eye's residence.

Victim's brother questions Sheriff's Office account amid concerns over delayed missing person report

Further, Donna's brother criticized the Sheriff's Office, claiming that she "was not in any condition to make a decision for herself." He expressed skepticism about the events surrounding her disappearance, describing them as "shady at the least" in a Facebook post on January 14, as per Kansas City.

Sheriff Jacobsen acknowledged conflicting reports and stated that the Sheriff's Office is actively working to “trying to figure this stuff out” leading to Donna's disappearance. Disturbingly, a missing person's report was not filed until three days after Donna exited the deputy's vehicle.

An autopsy is scheduled to determine the exact cause of her death, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Washington County 911 Center at 573-438-1079.