Death near Florence a likely suicide

The body of 67-year-old Raleigh Heskett of Lyndon was found Thursday east of Florence.

Sheriff Rob Craft said a coroner’s report identified Heskett, who had been reported missing July 15 in Osage County. He died of a single gunshot to the head. It appeared to be self-inflicted, Craft said.

Heskett had been dead for a few days before a motorist reported finding his van by the side of a road between U.S. 50 and Morning Star Ranch.

Heskett had no known connections to Marion County, Craft said.