Boone County, Mo., murder suspect captured in Creston

Increased traffic on Highway 34 led to curiousity surrounding law enforcement activity Wednesday evening at Moonlite Motel, 704 New York Ave.

According to Creston Police Chief Paul Ver Meer, a murder suspect wanted by the Boone County Sheriff in Missouri was taken in to custody without incident and booked in Adams County jail after he was captured Wednesday.

Information from a search of Boone County, Missouri, warrant records, Mark Alan Achterberg is charged with the first-degree murder of Justin Stidham.

According to the Boone County (Missouri) Sheriff’s Facebook page, deputies were dispatched just after 3:30 p.m. Monday to investigate a report of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a residence just north of Columbia, Missouri. The original information indicated a subject had arrived at the residence and discovered the victim, who had been shot.

Upon arrival, deputies located the victim, who was identified as Justin W. Stidham, inside the residence. Stidham, 32, of Columbia, Missouri, was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Evidence has led investigators to believe the gunshot was not self-inflicted, but foul play. According to the department, Stidham identified Achterberg as the person who shot him before he died.

Achterberg is being held without bond in Adams County Jail awaiting extradition to Boone County, Missouri.

An official press release and photos will be provided by Creston Police Department to Creston News Advertiser Friday.