Show-Me State Times

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced today that Tony Wagner was convicted in Taney County for a cold case dating back more than 32 years. Wagner was found guilty of one count of Forcible Rape: Aggravated and two counts of Assault in the First Degree, stemming from an attack on two young women in 1992.

The incident occurred on August 15, 1992, when the women were attacked while hiking in the Henning State Conservation Area in Taney County, Missouri. They were assaulted by an unknown individual, and one woman was forcibly raped. Despite initial efforts from law enforcement and an appearance on America’s Most Wanted, the case went unsolved until recent forensic advancements provided a significant lead.

Attorney General Bailey emphasized the importance of perseverance in such cases, stating, "This conviction is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement and prosecutors who never gave up on seeking justice for these victims."

The breakthrough came in August 2022 when genetic genealogy testing directed investigators to potential suspects, including Wagner. The Missouri State Highway Patrol and Fort Scott, Kansas, Police Department conducted surveillance and acquired Wagner’s discarded DNA, which matched the evidence from the crime scene.

A jury took approximately 90 minutes to deliberate before finding Wagner guilty. He now faces a recommended sentence of Life Imprisonment for each conviction. "The Taney County Prosecutor’s Office led the way, and my office was proud to assist in ensuring this violent offender was brought to justice," Bailey remarked.

Wagner's sentencing is set for July 11, 2025, in Taney County, Missouri.