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Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd has died

Mark Gibson, Zahnd’s first assistant for more than 20 years, will lead the office until Gov. Mike Kehoe names a permanent successor.

  • On Thursday afternoon, the Platte County Sheriff's Office confirmed a death investigation involving Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd at the Platte County Courthouse, which remains closed Friday.
  • Zahnd, who took office in 2002, held the position for more than 23 years and had announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election, planning to retire December 31, 2026.
  • The presiding judge of the Platte County Circuit Court appointed First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mark Gibson as interim prosecutor, who will lead the office until Governor Mike Kehoe appoints a permanent successor.
  • Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway called Zahnd a 'true patriot' and 'public servant who cared deeply,' while Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas praised his decades of work protecting the community.
  • During his tenure, Zahnd helped pass Jessica's Law through the Missouri General Assembly to increase child rape punishments, prompting the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys to call his absence a 'tremendous loss.
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KSHB-TV broke the news on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
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