Missouri man arrested in 2019 cold case of man found in barrel, encased in concrete

COLUMBIA, Mo. (TCN) -- A man has been charged with first-degree murder, evidence tampering, and abandonment of a corpse in connection with the death of a missing man found in a concrete-filled barrel in 2019. 

The Gasconade County Sheriff’s Office announced Daniel W. Russell was arrested and taken into custody on June 28 in connection with the death of Michael Graham.

The investigation began in February 2019 after the sheriff’s office received a report that Graham was missing. In April 2019, a plastic barrel was found on a boat ramp, deemed suspicious, and found to contain human remains. 

Investigators learned the remains in the barrel belonged to Graham. Russell was interviewed in connection with the investigation twice at the time, according to KSDK. He told police Graham owed him money and gave him a credit card to pay him back and that he had been staying with him but hadn’t been around for a few days. Police noted that Russell referred to Graham in the past tense during the conversation.

KOMU reports that the cold case was reopened in 2020, and investigators followed new leads that eventually led them to arrest Russell.

According to a witness, Russell allegedly had them help him move a barrel out of his garage in September 2018, KMIZ reports. The barrel was reportedly foul-smelling, and the witness alleged to investigators Russell told them he had killed Graham and placed him in the barrel, encased in concrete. The witness also claimed Russell’s wife said she had seen Graham dead after being hit in the head with an object.

The concrete inside the barrel reportedly matched concrete that was allegedly found in Russell’s garage, per KMIZ, and some of Graham’s belongings were also allegedly found in Russell’s home. In addition, spending related to Graham’s Social Security checks was allegedly connected to Russell’s household.

On June 26, investigators identified Russell as the suspect. He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, evidence tampering, and abandonment of a corpse and is being held without bond. 

The investigation is ongoing. KMIZ reports Russell’s arraignment is scheduled for July 1.

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