Missouri MMA Fighter David Koenig’s Remains Found Almost 2 Years Following Initial Disappearance
The remains of Branson, Missouri-born professional mixed martial arts fighter, David Koenig have been discovered in a wooded area, two years following his disappearance.
Koenig, who disappeared at the age of 25 back in February 2020, boasted a 3-1 amateur mixed martial arts record from four outings, and was in the midst of a three-fight winning spree with his last outing coming in the spring of 2017.
Remains of Koenig, who was last seen in his hometown of Branson in Missouri, were found by a man searching for deer antlers in a wooded area this month, before notifying law enforcement. Police released a statement detailing that upon examination of the remains, there were no signs of foul play nor trauma.
“On Monday, December 27., 2021, a forensic odonatologist was able to confirm that the human remains discovered in the woods near the 3700 block of Fall Creek Rd. on Wednesday, December 22., 2021, are those of David Koenig, the subject of a missing person investigation that began in March 2020.”
“On Wednesday, December 22., 2021, a man who was looking for deer antlers located suspected human remains in the woods near the 3700 block of Fall Creek Rd. Officers from the Branson Police Department responded and confirmed that the remains were human. Investigators from the Branson Police Department and the Taney County Coroner’s Office conducted a meticulous search of the area, recovering most of the remains and several other personal articles.”
“The examination of the remains conducted by a forensic pathologist determined that there was no trauma and that the death did not appear to be the result of foul play.”
“Since Mr. David Koenig was reported missing, the Branson Police Department has continously partnered with several area law enforcement agencies in their search for him. This led to multiple searches of properties in Taney and Stone Counties in Missouri, and Boone County, Arkansas. Two of these searches included excavations of suspicious areas of disturbed earth. Additionally, several volunteer groups including the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and cadaver dogs groups have organized searches of large areas in the area of Mr. David Koenig.”
“Our department and the amazing group of volunteers never stopped in our efforts to find Mr. David Koenig,” Branson Police Department Chief Jeff Matthews said. “While this is not the ending we hoped for, we offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. David Koenig.” (Transcribed by MyMMANews)
David Koenig had competed four times as an amateur, compiling a 3-1 record including three first round finishes.
Koenig, who had trained out of Branson Fight Club, began his amateur mixed martial arts career back in October 2015, suffering an opening round kimura loss to Christopher Gideon, before embarking on a three-fight winning spree with first round knockouts wins over both Kris Dodson, and Austin Levine, in between a first round kimura win of his own over Shawn Bales. Koenig had competed under the banners of RFA, ShoFIGHT, Brawl Inc, and Rumble Time Promotions.
