Third person charged in 2021 death of Columbia man in Benton County
Madison Stuerman
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A third person has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a Columbia man in 2021 in Benton County.
Cody Garrett, 28, was reported missing on June 21, 2021. Benton County deputies found Garrett’s vehicle and remains off the trails near a bike park outside Warsaw, Missouri. An autopsy showed he had been killed.
Kayley and Michael Birnbaum were charged in May after he confessed to law enforcement, according to court documents.
On Monday, Jack Wagner, of Springfield, was also charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Garrett.
Court documents state Benton County deputies interviewed Wagner on July 24 in Springfield and told the deputies he helped the couple plan and research the killing of Wagner.
Deputies said Wagner admitted to telling both Kayley and Michael how to clean up and destroy evidence, burn clothing and plan an alibi.
Wagner told deputies he thought a redacted name was a threat to his grandchildren, according to documents. He also told deputies he helped two people, whose names are redacted, by creating an alibi for one. He also allegedly told deputies the couple “trusted him to help them get away with it.”
During the interview, deputies said Wagner had a phone call with one of the other suspects to confirm “all loose ends were tied up.”
Court documents also state Wagner signed a statement admitting his part in the death of Garrett. Deputies said phone records also indicate his statement.
Both Birnbaums are being held at the Benton County jail after court documents state deputies found multiple weapons inside their home, including a sword that matched Garrett’s injuries. Court documents also say they burned evidence and threw the gun used to shoot Garrett in the Missouri River.
A hearing was held on Monday, where a judge found enough probable cause to issue an arrest warrant for Wagner. His bond is set at two million dollars.
It is unclear if Wagner is in custody as of Tuesday afternoon.