BOLLINGER COUNTY, Mo (WSIL) -- Remains found in Bollinger County, Missouri have been identified as a missing woman.
On Monday, April 19, the Bollinger County Sheriff's Office received information related to a missing woman from Madison County. The woman, Jennifer Porzeinski, was reported missing in March 2021.
At the time this information was received, it was reported that Kyle Byington was the last known person to see or speak with Porzeinski. Officials with the Bollinger County Sheriff’s Office along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control met with Kyle Byington at his residence Tuesday, April 20.
Police learned that Porzeinski was with Byington before she was reported missing. A short time later, Byington was placed under arrest for multiple arrest warrants out of Bonne Terre, Missouri, for criminal charges not pertaining to this investigation.
After he was placed under arrest, Byington was transported to the Bollinger County Jail. Byington was interviewed in reference to the investigation and shortly after a search warrant was obtained for his home.
During a search of his home and property, human remains were found in a shallow grave.
On Friday, April 23 an autopsy was conducted at the Saint Francois County Morgue in Farmington, Missouri. The remains were positively identified as Jennifer Porzeinski.
The coroner determined the cause of death was neck compression, possibly due to strangulation.
Byington is now being charged with Murder 1st Degree and Abandonment of a Corpse.
He remains in custody at the Bollinger County Jail and has been denied bond.
Sheriff Casey A. Graham would like to personally thank Investigators with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office, and Cape Girardeau Police Department for their assistance throughout this investigation.
