by Alan McArthur
Landmark reporter
A 39-year-old Springfield man was found dead at the northbound rest stop on Interstate 29 just south of Dearborn on Monday evening.
Just after 8 p.m. on Monday, Missouri State Highway Patrol officers responded to the rest area after a report from a motorist who found the body. Officers found the white male, identified as Valentin G. Kirilchuk, with an apparent gunshot wound on the floor of the men's restroom.
Dan Green, sergeant with the highway patrol, said it appeared the man was shot while in the restroom. Green said the patrol has not determined whether it was a homicide or suicide.
According to Green, the victim’s vehicle was found at the rest area. Reports indicate he was a trucker.
Green would not say whether a weapon was found at the scene.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the rest area was still closed while the investigation and cleanup continued. It was opened by Tuesday evening.
The case is being investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control.
Anyone with information or any persons who were at the rest area between 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Monday are asked to call the highway patrol at 816-622-0800.
