Law enforcement departments in Missouri are investigating the death of a Ku Klux Klan leader found dead late Saturday near the bank of the Big River, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Authorities identified the body of Frank Ancona, 51, who died from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the coroner’s office.
The Klansman was last seen alive on Wednesday morning by his wife, Malissa Ancona, Leadwood Police Chief William Dickey reported. On Saturday, a woman taking her family fishing discovered the body near a river bank in Belgrade, Missouri, located about 70 miles southwest of St. Louis.
Washington County Sheriff Zach Jacobsen said no one has been charged with Ancona’s death. “But that may change tomorrow,” he added, according to the Post-Dispatch.
However, the police arrested Ancona’s step son on an unrelated warrant. Investigators are also questioning Malissa Ancona, KMOV-TV reported.
Malissa Ancona denied, to the Washington Post, police reports that her husband wanted a divorce. She suggested that information came from her husband’s family members, who disapproved of their marriage.
“They’re trying to make it look like I did something,” she told the Post. “He’s all I have. I don’t have any family of my own. … What would I get out of this?”
According to the Post-Dispatch, Ancona identified himself as the imperial wizard with the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, and the group’s website shows a picture of him. The newspaper said it had previously quoted Ancona in stories about the distribution of KKK leaflets.
SOURCE: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, KMOV-TV, Washington Post
SEE ALSO:
KKK Docu-Series Canceled
NEWS ROUNDUP: ‘Grand Dragon’ Of KKK Arrested For Stabbing Another Klansman…AND MORE
Happy Presidents' Day! 44 Photos To Make You Miss Obama
42 photos Launch gallery
1. Barack Gives Daughter Malia a Kiss
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2. Michelle and Barack tell the kids a story
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3. Michelle and Barack Kiss
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4. Michelle and Barack
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5. First Family Portrait
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6. Two Terms
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7. Michelle and Barack host a State Dinner
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8. Barack Obama and Michelle Obama
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9. The Obamas on Air Force One
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10. The First Family in London
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11. First Lady Michelle Obama with daughters Malia Obama and Sasha Obama
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12. Sasha and Malia Obama at the 2016 State Dinner
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13. Turkey Pardoning
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14. Sunday Church
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15. Gobble, Gobble
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16. Malia Obama, the First Daughter
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17. Barack Obama and his daughter Malia Obama
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18. A Family Affair
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19. Flashback To The Old Days
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20. Happy Birthday!
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21. Candidly Awesome
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22. Historic First Family
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23. Ice Cream Treat
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24. TV Time
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25. Always Giving Back
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26. A Christmas Story
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27. Hawaii Trip!
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28. Obama Loves Team USA & His Wife
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29. Malia and Sasha Obama
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30. Michelle Plays on a Bike
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31. Obama Loves Team USA, His Wife & Malia
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32. Reading Time
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33. Family Support
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34. The Sister Selfie
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35. Supporting Mom
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36. Giving Back On MLK Day
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37. Obamas Give Back To The Community
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38. Always Supporting Small Businesses
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39. Obama Swagger
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40. Laughs & Turkeys
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41. Christmas With The Obamas
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42. 50th Anniversary Of March On Selma
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