Missouri prosecutor Eric Zahnd, 53, dies by suicide inside Platte County courthouse as building is sealed

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Eric Zahnd, Platte County's longest-serving prosecuting attorney, was found dead inside the county courthouse on Thursday afternoon, after which law enforcement locked down the building. Zahnd had occupied the prosecutor's office since 2002 and in April announced he would step down at the end of the year. Presiding Judge Myles Perry confirmed the courthouse will remain closed until Monday.

Zahnd, named Missouri's Prosecutor of the Year in 2014, had played a key role in passing Jessica's Law, imprisoning child rapists for life.

He had endorsed First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mark Gibson — whom he hired in 2004 — to succeed him as prosecutor.

Following his resignation announcement, Zahnd said he 'frequently daydreamed' about spending time with his two sons away from the courthouse.