Monroe City Woman Found Dead

Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B Sgt. Eric Brown said this afternoon Monroe City resident Amanda K. Johnston has been found dead.

Johnston’s body was discovered at approximately 5 a.m. this morning in northern Pike County, Missouri off Missouri Route B south of Frankford, according to Brown.

Preliminary information indicates Johnston, 32, was shot on Wednesday, August 5 at approximately 3:11 a.m. at St Jude Cemetery in Monroe City.

Earlier today, the Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed formal charges against 29-year-old Jerry B. Asbell of Monroe City. Asbell allegedly shot Johnston.

Asbell is charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action. Asbell is being held at the Marion County Jail in Palmyra. No bond is authorized.

Also arrested in the case was 37-year-old Jessica M. Ellsworth of Monroe City. Ellsworth is charged with tampering with evidence. She is detained at the Macon County Jail in Macon without bond.

Brown said investigation of the case is on-going.