On January 20, 2025, deputies in Jefferson County, Missouri, responded to reports of gunfire at a rural home in the 4400 block of Victoria Station Road near De Soto and found 45-year-old Joel Dean Kessler of Imperial dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Kessler and an unnamed woman had arrived at the residence earlier that day to visit the homeowner.

Court documents say the homeowner, 23-year-old Caleb Hawkins, became unsettled by Kessler’s presence and later left the room, allegedly to get keys. Prosecutors allege Hawkins instead retrieved a 9mm Mossberg handgun from another part of the house, returned, embraced the woman, then fired multiple rounds at Kessler; the woman was not injured. Hawkins was taken into custody, reportedly admitted the shooting and said he perceived the victim as evil. He was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action and held without bond as proceedings began.

Are there readers who knew Joel, the homeowner, or who were in that area that day and can offer information?