After ID of remains, police investigating death of Jessica Runions as a homicide

The family of missing woman Jessica Runions has confirmed one set of human remains found in Cass County this week belongs to their daughter.The Cass County Sheriff's Office said this evening the Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office positively identified those remains as Runions. The Kansas City Police Department now says they are investigating Jessica's death as a homicide. The second set of remains found off of Route Y has yet to be identified.The family of Kara Kopetsky - another missing woman linked to the Runions case by an ex-boyfriend is still waiting for information Wednesday night."In my heart of hearts I believe it's Kara," said Rhonda Beckford, Kara's mother. Beckford said the second skull found in Cass County was not a complete skull and they have been told it could take up to a year to identify. Jessica Runions went messing in September 2016 after reportedly getting a ride home from a party with Kylr Yust.Her vehicle was later found burned in Kansas City. Yust was arrested and charged in connection with burning that vehicle. He is still in jail on that charge.Kara Kopetsky went missing nearly 10 years ago in may 2007. Days before her disappearance she filed a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend Kylr Yust.For breaking news on the go, download the KMBC 9 News App.

The family of missing woman Jessica Runions has confirmed one set of human remains found in Cass County this week belongs to their daughter.


The Cass County Sheriff's Office said this evening the Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office positively identified those remains as Runions.

The Kansas City Police Department now says they are investigating Jessica's death as a homicide.

The second set of remains found off of Route Y has yet to be identified.

The family of Kara Kopetsky - another missing woman linked to the Runions case by an ex-boyfriend is still waiting for information Wednesday night.

"In my heart of hearts I believe it's Kara," said Rhonda Beckford, Kara's mother.

Beckford said the second skull found in Cass County was not a complete skull and they have been told it could take up to a year to identify.

Jessica Runions went messing in September 2016 after reportedly getting a ride home from a party with Kylr Yust.

Her vehicle was later found burned in Kansas City.

Yust was arrested and charged in connection with burning that vehicle. He is still in jail on that charge.

Kara Kopetsky went missing nearly 10 years ago in may 2007. Days before her disappearance she filed a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend Kylr Yust.

For breaking news on the go, download the KMBC 9 News App.