Family of Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd Addresses Investigation, Mental Health in Statement After His Death

PLATTE COUNTY, Mo. — The family of longtime Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd released a statement Monday following his death last week, addressing his career, his recent personal struggles and reports surrounding a Missouri State Highway Patrol investigation.

Zahnd died Thursday inside the Platte County Courthouse. He had served as Platte County Prosecuting Attorney since 2002 and was nearing the end of his current term.

Following his death, the Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed it had been conducting a criminal investigation involving Zahnd after receiving a request from the Platte County Sheriff’s Office earlier this year.

In its statement Monday, Zahnd’s family pushed back against speculation that the investigation involved potential criminal prosecution or was connected to his death.

The family described Zahnd as a devoted husband, father, friend and colleague, and said his death has been a devastating loss.

They also thanked those who have reached out to recognize Zahnd’s career and his work within the criminal justice system throughout Platte County, the Kansas City area and Missouri.

According to the family, more than two decades of prosecutorial work had taken a significant emotional toll on Zahnd.

The statement said Zahnd had recently begun seeking help to address the impact of his work on his mental health and had started considering how he could use his experience to help others in law enforcement, emergency response and the military who face similar challenges.

His family said Zahnd had also privately decided that he planned to step away from his position as Platte County Prosecuting Attorney and pursue a different direction in his life.

The statement also provided the family’s explanation regarding the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigation.

According to the family, Zahnd had used his official county email account to indicate that he would not support the reelection of a political candidate.

The family acknowledged that using the county email system in that manner was a mistake but disputed speculation that Zahnd was facing criminal prosecution.

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” the family said regarding suggestions that the investigation involved potential criminal charges or contributed to his death.

The family said they hope the controversy surrounding the investigation can now come to an end and asked for privacy as they continue to grieve Zahnd’s death.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol previously said its investigation remained active and ongoing. Authorities have not publicly released Zahnd’s cause of death.