On the afternoon of November 10, 2024, deputies from the Randolph County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a residence on County Road 2605, situated just south of Moberly, Missouri. Upon arrival at the scene around 5:15 p.m., authorities discovered the lifeless body of 22-year-old Ethan Wade March, a White male who lived at the home. Investigators determined that he had sustained a fatal gunshot wound. The initial assessment of the crime scene suggested that those responsible for the violence had fled the area on foot immediately following the incident, prompting law enforcement to launch an urgent search of the surrounding vicinity.
A manhunt ensued as deputies combed the area for the suspects, utilizing a drone to scan the terrain. Approximately two hours after the discovery of the body, the aerial technology proved successful, locating two individuals hiding in a nearby wooded area near a pond. The suspects were taken into custody without further incident around 7:15 p.m., bringing a swift conclusion to the immediate search. The investigation revealed that the pair consisted of a teenage boy and a teenage girl who were acquaintances of the victim.
Following their apprehension, the two juveniles were turned over to the Randolph County Juvenile Office. Authorities subsequently announced serious charges in connection with the homicide. A 16-year-old male from Columbia, Missouri, was charged with second-degree murder and robbery. His companion, a 15-year-old female from Moberly, faced charges of hindering a felony prosecution. Because both suspects are minors, their names were not released to the public, and they remained in juvenile detention while the legal proceedings commenced.
Ethan March was remembered by his community as a young man with a contagious smile who had a deep passion for music and history. Born in Moberly, he was working toward obtaining his GED and spent much of his free time camping, floating on rivers, and enjoying the company of his friends and large family. A visitation and celebration of life were held for him the following weekend at a local funeral chapel, where loved ones gathered to mourn the sudden and violent loss of a son, brother, and friend whose life was cut short in his own home.
