Scott County investigators follow possible lead in 1979 missing person’s case

SCOTT COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI) – A case ran cold is being relooked at today, as city officials have been out in Scott County near County Road 305, digging for the possible remains of Cheryl Ann Scherer. 

19-year-old Cheryl Ann Scherer vanished from the Scott City Rhodes gas station on April 17th in 1979, her family and local investigators have been working together searching for the Scott County teen ever since.  Scott County Sheriff Derick Wheetley shares why they are digging into a new lead today.

 “Over time, we’ve had cadaver dogs, two different teams in 2025 come out with five dogs’ total. They all indicated positive for human remains, in this area. We then followed that up here last month with another team of three, which also indicated, positive for remains” says Wheetley.

Cheryl’s brother and sister Diane Scherer-Morris and Anthony Scherer, saying they feel the community support today, and no-matter what the outcome, they won’t lose hope.

“When we first walked up here, it’s a little surreal” says Anthony Scherer. “To think that, you know, all of this is happening because of my sister.” 

 “Today gives us hope in that there is still a chance that we can find her, even if she is not here. We will continue” says Diane Scherer-Morris.

Crews, Scott County investigators, and Semo’s forensic anthropology team have been on scene all day digging in a wooded area near county road 305 in Scott County. Scott County Sheriff Derick Wheetley saying he has high hopes in his investigation.

“This case is older than I am, but it’s something that, you know, if you grow up in the county, you know what this case is and, you know, we had high, high hopes and emotions and we still hope to find some remains today. We’re not certain, you know, we’ll find Cheryl, but with the dogs out here, hopefully we can find some remains today.”