~~UPDATED~~Taney County Authorities Searching For Man Missing Since Christmas Day:



Donald Wayne Burton mug shot from August 2010 (TCSO)

-
Authorities in Taney County have launched a missing person investigation into the disappearance of a Forsyth man on Christmas day.

Sheriff Jimmie Russell says the parents of Donald Wayne Burton, 29, filed the report with his office on December 28th.

"We have dealt with him in the past," said Russell.  When asked if the disappearance could be drug related Russell replied, "All I'm gonna tell you is he's a missing person."

According to online court records, Burton pled guilty last year to domestic assault and was given 120 days shock time.  He has numerous drug related convictions going back to 2001.
-
If you have any information on the disappearance of Burton you're asked to call the Taney County Sheriff's Office at 417-546-7250.

UPDATE:

 Sunday, January 9, 2011

Death Investigation Launched In Taney County After Missing Man Found Dead:

Donald Wayne Burton

Authorities in Taney County have launched a death investigation after a man who has been missing since Christmas was found dead this morning north of Forsyth.

Sheriff Jimmie Russell says Donald Wayne Burton, 29, of Forsyth was found on the floor of a garage next to an abandoned trailer on Julie Lane in the Venice on the Lake area.  Burton's parents reported him missing on December 28th.
-

When asked last week if authorities were familiar with Burton, Russell replied, "We have dealt with him in the past." When asked if the disappearance could be drug related Russell replied, "All I'm gonna tell you is he's a missing person." 

Russell said he didn't alert the media because he didn't want to hinder the investigation.

Southwest Missouri Forensics will conduct an autopsy on Burton in Springfield on Tuesday.

-
Russell says he will release more information after reviewing autopsy results.