Doniphan man charged in connection with 2019 death investigation

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

DONIPHAN, Mo., (KBSI) — A Doniphan man has been charged in connection with a 2019 death investigation, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Thomas H. Skaggs, 57, is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, abandonment of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence in the death of Jerry B. Hale, also of Doniphan.

Investigators said the case began in August 2019 as a missing person investigation. Skaggs was identified as a person of interest at that time.

In November 2025, human remains were discovered in a shop on a rental property in Doniphan. An autopsy later confirmed the remains were Hale, and authorities said he had suffered a gunshot wound to the skull.

Skaggs was formally charged March 27 by the Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney. He is currently in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections on unrelated convictions.

The investigation involved the Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control and the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said the charges are accusations, and Skaggs is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.