A body believed to be Oscar Sanchez-Munoz, 22, the suspect in a deadly shooting spree along Kansas City highways, was found by his family in the basement of a home that had been consumed by fire. The discovery on Wednesday marks the presumed end of a week-long manhunt.
Police were alerted by the family around 2 p.m. local time, who reported finding decomposing remains amidst debris in the home's basement. Although the family had visited the property multiple times since it caught fire during an overnight police standoff, authorities stated the body was only located after debris was cleared and a distinct odor was noted.
Authorities had previously searched the Independence, Missouri, property extensively, including with K-9 units, without success. The basement's partial collapse, flooding, and significant clutter complicated earlier search efforts.
The manhunt began after Sanchez-Munoz allegedly fired at vehicles along Interstate 70, a location situated near Arrowhead Stadium, a venue for the FIFA World Cup. The shootings resulted in one fatality and several injuries, including an Uber driver transporting soccer fans.
During the search, the FBI had offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to Sanchez-Munoz's capture, issuing a warning that he was considered armed and dangerous. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche had previously speculated that the suspect might be deceased within the Missouri home.
Investigators are proceeding under the assumption that the deceased individual is Sanchez-Munoz. Officials noted that the clothing on the body appeared to match what the suspect wore during the attacks. The identity and cause of death are pending confirmation from a medical examiner.
Officials have assured the public that the threat has been neutralized and that all surviving victims are expected to recover.