Amazon driver found dead in front yard, Ray County Sheriff’s Office investigating

WOOD HEIGHTS, Mo. (KCTV) – An investigation is underway and two dogs are dead after an Amazon driver’s body was found in someone’s yard just outside of Excelsior Springs.

Ray County Sheriff Scott Childers said that they received a call shortly after 7 p.m. regarding an Amazon van that had been outside a residence for several hours.

When deputies arrived at the scene in the 12900 block of O Highway, they did find a deceased male in someone’s front yard. It appears that he was an Amazon driver who was about 50 years old.

Sheriff Childers was then advised that there were two large dogs at the scene who had been aggressive toward deputies and medical staff. One of the deputies shot one of the dogs due to its aggression.

“When I arrived on-scene, I observed the body,” Sheriff Childers said of the deceased driver. “We don’t know cause of death at this time, nor do we want to make any speculations. However, the body did have a lot of marks on it that would be consistent with canine bites.”

At this point, the dogs -- a German Shepherd and English Mastiff -- had gone back in the house. The sheriff noted that he saw a dog door with blood on it, which would be consistent with the wounded dog going back into the house.

“I dispatched both dogs at the residence,” Sheriff Childers ultimately stated.

The sheriff’s office stated that, at this time, this is a death investigation because the don’t know what caused the driver’s death. An autopsy will be performed on the driver and a necropsy will be performed on the dogs. The goal of the necropsy will be to determine the contents of the dogs’ stomachs.

The driver’s name is not being released at this time. The authorities are working to notify his family, which is apparently spread out in multiple locations

Also read: ‘Deeply saddened’: Amazon releases statement after driver found dead in front yard

In an interview with the media on Tuesday, the sheriff addressed having to dispatch the dogs on Monday night.

“As for me, I love animals,” the sheriff said. “You know, just few months ago, I broke up a puppy mill with 90 dogs in it. And, I adopted one of those puppies. And, I love that puppy. You know, I do as much as I can. You know, shooting dogs is not something that I really want to do but, unfortunately, I felt it was a necessity in this case.”

“People are very upset that the dogs were shot,” the sheriff continued. “I understand that.”

“People will say, ‘Why didn’t you tranquilize them?’” he said. “Well, I don’t know anybody that carries tranquilizer here. Maybe the zoo does, but I don’t have time for that nor do I even know if they would give me tranquilizers or I could even properly administer that. So, we did what we could.”

“The dogs were aggressive, not only toward my deputies but also toward me when I met them in the residence,” the sheriff said. “I have to put human safety above the safety of the dogs at that point.”

Stay with KCTV5 News for updates regarding this ongoing investigation.

Wood Heights is just outside Excelsior Springs in Ray County, Missouri.

Tuesday update: Ray County investigators waiting on autopsy results to determine cause of Amazon delivery driver’s death