Man Arrested In Decades-Old Franklin County Homicide

Franklin County Cold Case detectives made an arrest December 23 in the 1987 murder of a woman whose body was found decomposing near St. Clair.

Kirby King, 64, has been charged with second-degree murder. 

King is accused of killing Karla Jane Delcour. Delcour's body was discovered June 24, 1987 in a wooded area along the North Service Road, about two miles west of St. Clair. Delcour's body was decomposing and she was bound at the wrists and neck. 

The St. Louis Medical Examiner's Office determined Delcour had been strangled by ligature.

Franklin County Sheriff Steven Pelton said many details have not been released. 

"There is a long way to go to reach justice for Karla Delcour and her family," Pelton said. "A premature release of information might hinder that for her family."

Pelton commended the Cold Case Investigations Unit for its countless hours investigating and the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office for the extensive review of the case.

Investigators retraced Delcour's last steps in St. Clair and determined her murder occurred on or around June 21, 1987 at a residence off Iron Hill Road. Investigators spoke to several potential witnesses and suspects, but charges were never brought forth.

Pelton said the murder remained unsolved until 2018 when the case was reopened. Detectives traveled to Texas, Arizona and locations around Missouri to re-interview suspects and witnesses.