CCSO seeking additional information about Bowen, who has been linked to Coyoete Turner's death.
Bowen
ELLISVILLE — Authorities are seeking additional information about a person of interest in the murder of a teenage girl earlier this month.
According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, 47-year-old John Leonard Bowen has been identified as a person of interest in the death of 18-year-old Coyoete Turner. Bowen, a registered sex offender, is currently in the Columbia County Detention Facility on unrelated charges from violation of his sex offender registration. He was booked into the jail on Sept. 7.
Bowen was identified based on witness statements, evidence from the crime scene and other investigative efforts, according to the CCSO.
The CCSO is seeking information from anyone that may have had contact with Bowen on Saturday, Sept. 2, or Sunday, Sept. 3. According to the CCSO, Bowen may have been driving a red Dodge Journey SUV.
Turner’s body was found in a field near SW Haltiwanger Road in the Ellisville area on Sept. 3.
According to the CCSO release Monday, Turner’s body was partially burned, making identification difficult.
Initially, the sheriff’s office said foul play was suspected but wouldn’t divulge other information to “protect the integrity of the investigation.”
“Our detectives have worked tirelessly on this case since Coyoete was discovered,” Sheriff Mark Hunter said in a release. “It is horrific to think that anyone is capable of these acts. I urge anyone with information in this case to contact our office. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Coyoete’s family and friends as they continue to endure this tragedy.”
Anyone with information about the case or who had contact with Bowen around that time should contact Detective Truesdale at 386-758-1375.