The Platte County, Missouri, community is mourning the death of Eric Zahnd, the county’s longtime prosecuting attorney, who died Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Platte County Courthouse.
Zahnd was 53 years old and had served as Platte County prosecuting attorney since 2002, making him the longest-serving prosecutor in the county’s history. His death was confirmed by the Platte County Sheriff’s Office and reported by multiple local news organizations.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eric Zahnd |
| Age | 53 |
| Location | Platte County, Missouri |
| Date of Death | September 17, 2026 |
| Position | Platte County Prosecuting Attorney |
| In Office Since | 2002 |
| Location of Incident | Platte County Courthouse |
| Investigation | Death investigation |
| Public Threat | Authorities said there was no threat to the public |
| Cause of Death | Not publicly released |
| Funeral Arrangements | Not available |
The courthouse was closed shortly after 2:00 p.m. Thursday after law enforcement responded to an incident. The Sheriff’s Office later confirmed that a death investigation was underway and identified Zahnd as the deceased. Officials said there was no threat to the public.
Zahnd had built a more than two-decade career in Platte County. According to the county’s official prosecutor’s office biography, he was originally elected in 2002 and previously worked as a business litigator and in the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. He graduated with honors from William Jewell College and Duke Law School.
He had announced earlier in 2026 that he would not seek another term. Local reporting said his tenure was scheduled to end later in 2026.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway and other state and local officials expressed condolences following his death. Hanaway described Zahnd as a dedicated public servant who cared deeply about Platte County and public safety.
The circumstances surrounding Zahnd’s death remain under investigation. Authorities had not released a cause of death as of the latest reports, and funeral or memorial arrangements had not been publicly announced.
Additional information will be added when released by his family or authorities.