2 murder trials set after Cedar Rapids man killed in Missouri

The trials for two of the three people accused of murdering a Cedar Rapids man last fall in Missouri have been scheduled for next year.

A third defendant petitioned for a change of venue, and her trial has not been set yet.

Shawn William Michael Kiger, 31, of Cedar Rapids, was reported missing in November 2023 by his girlfriend. He was found a few weeks later dead from gunshot wounds, with his hands bound behind his back, in a rural area in Shannon County in far southeastern Missouri.

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Two Missouri residents — Kyle Sebree, 32, and Heather McClendon, 41 — were charged with murder the day after Kiger’s body was found. A third Missouri man — Tony Fox, 36, was charged about a week later.

Investigators learned Kiger had traveled to Missouri with Tyrelle Deshunt Harris Sr., 29, who had told him he could buy a gun from a friend who lived in the state. Kiger and Harris went to Winona, Mo., in Shannon County, early Nov. 21 to meet Sebree, who was selling the gun, at his home. Another man, known as “Alex,” also was there. This man was later identified as Fox, authorities said.

Investigators said they learned that Sebree drove Kiger’s truck around to various locations during their stay, with Kiger and Harris as passengers. Harris told authorities Sebree drove the truck to buy drugs and that Kiger and Sebree smoked methamphetamine.

Harris told authorities he later saw Sebree shoot Kiger in the back of the head, according to court documents. Harris drove Kiger’s truck back to Iowa, where it was found abandoned.

During interviews, McClendon told authorities Kiger, Harris and Sebree were at her residence Nov. 21. She said she had purchased a .22-caliber rifle at a local gun store for Sebree because he was felon and was prohibited from having a weapon.

McClendon later admitted to investigators that Sebree told her he had killed Kiger. Sebree told her he had removed a handgun from her purse and used it to kill Kiger.

During a second interview with investigators, McClendon told police that Tony Fox was the other man with Sebree and Harris when they returned to her home in Kiger’s truck. Video surveillance at her home showed Fox, Sebree and Harris getting out of Kiger’s vehicle on Nov. 22, according to the probable cause statements.

Fox, Sebree and McClendon are all charged with first-degree murder. Fox and Sebree are also charged with first-degree kidnapping. McClendon is also charged with tampering with physical evidence.

Fox has a jury trial scheduled to begin on March 25, 2025 in Shannon County, and Sebree’s trial is scheduled to start on July 14, 2025.

McClendon petitioned for a change of judge and venue in March and her case was moved to Butler County. A trial has not yet been set.

Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com