Friday Homicide Not Related To Prior Beating
In an update News Talk KZRG is bringing you first, we spoke to Captain Trevor Duncan about the alleged killer and the incident from Friday night in Joplin. Captain Duncan tells us that the victim, 27-year-old Shawn M. Rockers of Joplin, was stabbed inside of an apartment at 902 West Third. The home sits on 3rd and Connor, but the back two apartments have a third street address.
The man wanted for this murder, 33-year-old Michael Osborne of Joplin, has a long history with law enforcement in the area.
You’ll remember Osborne was the victim of a severe beating in late September and found on the street near 15th and Connor after he was hit several times with a baseball bat . Osborne had a serious head injury and spent months recuperating. 39-year-old Jack Ballard of Joplin was charged with First Degree assault in that case. Captain Duncan says this incident and the recent murder are not related and are being investigated separately.
“So there’s a lot of conspiracies already on Facebook about Mr. Osbourne because there’s been some other stories of him recently both being a victim and other, but at this time, this investigation stands alone. We’re not releasing any information as of yet, but this case is it’s own case.”
Osborne also faced charges of abandoning a corpse in 2008 when the remains of Michael Kordis was found in his burnt pick-up truck at Grand Falls.
Osborne was also recently arrested in December for a warrant on previous charges in Joplin.
Osborne is described as a white male, with short brown hair. He is 6’04, 217 pounds. His forearm tattoos read “no effort.” He should be considered armed and dangerous, so if you have any information or see him, do not approach him – call Joplin Police at 623-3131 or 911.
