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Missing Student Found Deceased After Search
29 Mar
Summary
- A 21-year-old college student was found deceased in Madison County.
- Her vehicle was discovered abandoned on Keck Road, near Illinois 4.
- She was last seen by family in St. Peters, Missouri, before disappearing.
A 21-year-old college student, Melissa Oelke, has been found deceased in Madison County, Missouri. Her vehicle was discovered abandoned on Keck Road, approximately one mile east of Illinois 4. Oelke was last seen by her family in St. Peters, Missouri, on Thursday morning, March 27, 2026.
Authorities had been actively searching for Oelke after she apparently left her home around 7:30 a.m. on March 27, 2026, leaving her cellphone behind. Her father reported that she visited several stores before her vehicle was found. Oelke, a student at the College of Creative Studies in Detroit, had reportedly extended her spring break to focus on her mental health and had several medical conditions requiring attention.
The extensive search efforts included personnel from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Madison County Sheriff's Office deputies, and the Illinois State Police. St. Peters Police stated that while the investigation is active, they do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public. The cause of death has not been released.
