Sheriff Building Case on Evidence, Not Rumors
People of Interest Identified in Lindsey Watts Investigation
By Echo Menges
EDINA, Mo. — June 12, 2026 — Investigators have identified people of interest in the disappearance of Lindsey Watts, 35, as the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and multiple law enforcement agencies continue their investigation into the Edina woman’s disappearance.
Watts was reported missing by her family on May 20.
The sheriff remains tight-lipped about details of the investigation’s progress, which is standard practice during active criminal investigations.
“I’m not focused on winning in the court of public opinion. I’m focused on winning in a court of law. Our investigators have identified people of interest, and we’re continuing to build our case based solely on the evidence and the facts, not speculation or rumors. We understand people want answers, but the integrity of the investigation is my priority. Information to the public will be released at the appropriate time,” Knox County Sheriff Carl Knoche told The Edina Sentinel.
Multiple law enforcement agencies continue to assist the Knox County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation, which has been ongoing since May 20. Knoche said more than 360 tips have been submitted and continue to be followed up on.
“I want to remind our citizens that there is no evidence to indicate that there is a threat to the public,” Knoche said. “I appreciate everyone who has come forward with information and want to encourage people to keep calling the tip line with any information they think could be useful.”
Lindsey Watts was last seen by a family member at approximately 11 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at her residence, 510 N. Fifth St. in Edina. She has not been seen or heard from since. She disappeared without her vehicle, keys, wallet or money.
Lindsey did not tell anyone she planned to leave before she disappeared.
She left work at The Blessing Center in Edina earlier that day and did not report to work or call in the following day.
After her family reported her missing Wednesday afternoon, May 20, Knoche recovered her cellphone in a ditch near her residence.
From the beginning of the investigation, Knoche has described Lindsey’s disappearance as “very concerning.”
Multiple law enforcement agencies from throughout the region and the state, along with the FBI, continue to investigate Lindsey’s disappearance. Anyone with information about her whereabouts or her disappearance is urged to contact the Knox County Sheriff’s Office at (660) 397-2186, Ext. 1.
People who have been reluctant to come forward may decide they no longer wish to carry the weight of that information.
