MISSOURI VALLEY – An Iowa man has been charged with first-degree murder after authorities say the remains of a man reported missing nearly three years ago were found buried behind a remote rest area.
Joseph Jack Langford III, 52, of Missouri Valley, was arrested May 18, 2026, by agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. He is charged with murder in the first degree, a Class A felony, and abuse of a corpse, a Class C felony.
The charges stem from the death of Jesse David George, 35, of Missouri Valley, who was reported missing to the Missouri Valley Police Department on June 29, 2023.
Authorities said the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Missouri Valley Police Department and Harrison County Sheriff’s Office continued working the case after George was reported missing.
In April 2026, law enforcement searched a rural area about four miles northwest of Missouri Valley and found human remains. The remains were later positively identified as George. The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Harrison County District Court, George was last seen with Langford during the early morning hours of June 29, 2023, in a camper located near 4th Street in Missouri Valley. The complaint says Langford later admitted that he and George had been in an argument inside the camper.
Authorities allege that around 4:30 a.m. that morning, Langford contacted a friend for help moving a car parked in front of the camper. When the friend arrived, the complaint says Langford had a rifle and would not allow anyone inside the camper.
Days later, Langford allegedly told that same friend that “somebody’s gone, they’re not coming back, and I’m going to prison,” according to the complaint.
Investigators allege that, at the direction of Langford’s sister, the camper was moved to the northbound Interstate 29 Missouri Valley rest area in Harrison County. The complaint says Langford and his sister were both employed at the rest area at the time, and that the camper was later cleaned by both of them.
A report was made to local law enforcement about the camper’s new location and its possible connection to George’s disappearance. When officers responded, they allegedly observed what appeared to be bullet holes through the side of the camper and blood inside the camper.
The complaint says forensic DNA testing later confirmed the blood found inside the camper was George’s.
Authorities allege that about a year later, Langford admitted to another friend that he was responsible for George’s death. Investigators also allege Langford told a coworker he had shot and killed George in the camper and later buried George’s body behind the rest area.
On April 15, 2026, law enforcement excavated an area behind the rest area and located human remains. The complaint says an autopsy showed George had been shot multiple times.
Authorities allege Langford arranged for George’s body to be transported to the northbound I-29 Missouri Valley rest area and then concealed the body by burying it in a wooded area north of the rest area building.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities said no further details are being released.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and Langford is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Source note: Details from the criminal complaint and affidavit were used to prepare this story.