Mississippi River Body Near Festus Identified as Missing Teen Wuaniata Gibson

Wuaniata Gibson, 18, a St. Louis City resident and daughter of Keith Gibson Jr., was identified Feb. 18 by the St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s Office after barge workers recovered a body from the Mississippi River just south of Festus; the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the scene and transported the remains to the medical examiner for autopsy.

Police records show Gibson was last seen leaving the 8800 block of Portland Terrace on Dec. 22, 2025, and was reported missing from St. Louis City on Dec. 24, 2025, with officers classifying her as an endangered missing person. Family members say a Ring doorbell camera captured Gibson leaving the home shortly after 5 p.m. on Dec. 22.

Barge workers discovered the body in the river on Feb. 16, with one account placing the discovery at about 8:30 a.m. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s release says the recovery occurred near River Cement Road, just south of Festus in unincorporated Jefferson County; some media reports used the name Clement Road for the same stretch, but official responders including the Missouri State Highway Patrol used River Cement Road in their initial statements.

The St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy and identified the body as Gibson on Feb. 18. SLMPD stated that "an investigation into the official cause of death remains underway." No cause or manner of death has been released and authorities have not announced suspects or arrests tied to the recovery.

Gibson’s parents spoke publicly after being notified by detectives. Her mother, Tanneka Patterson, said, "I called her baby bear. She called me Mama Bear, so she was like my little cub. She was my shadow." Patterson added, "She loved Jesus. She loved going to church and she loved singing with me in our church choir," and recalled a moment when Gibson "came home one day after finding one of the cats named Pluto. She carried him on her shoulder. She really loved all of her animals that she called her babies."

Her father, Keith Gibson, Jr., described his daughter as "daddy's girl," saying, "She was daddy's girl. She was my princess. I called her my princess." He also reacted to the notification from detectives: "When I got the call this morning, I didn't expect that."

Authorities continue to investigate the gap between Gibson’s last-known sighting on Dec. 22, 2025, and the Feb. 16 recovery. The St. Louis County Medical Examiner and SLMPD have not issued further findings; investigators say they are working to determine the cause and circumstances of Gibson’s death.