The family of late Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s investigation involved Zahnd’s use of his county email in a political dispute and called on the agency to provide additional context about the inquiry.

In a statement released Sept. 21, the family acknowledged Zahnd used his official email account to indicate he would not support an unnamed candidate’s reelection.

“It was a mistake,” the family said. “We know in full health Eric would never have made that error.”

The family said it believes “the bulk” of the Highway Patrol investigation concerned allegations that Zahnd wrongfully used the county email address in connection with an ongoing political dispute. The family’s characterization has not been publicly confirmed by the Highway Patrol.

“We, therefore, call on the MSHP to clarify its statements,” the family said. “We hope that clarification will end the rumors and speculation that place undue condemnation on a dedicated public servant.”

The Highway Patrol confirmed Sept. 18 that Zahnd was the subject of an active criminal investigation when he died at the Platte County Courthouse on Sept. 17.

A Highway Patrol spokesperson told KSHB 41 that the agency’s Division of Drug and Crime Control received a request from the Platte County sheriff on June 15 to investigate “criminal allegations against Prosecutor Eric Zahnd.”

“This investigation is still considered active and ongoing,” the spokesperson said. “To protect the integrity of the investigation, no further comment can be made at this time.”

The Highway Patrol has not publicly identified the allegations, possible offenses or evidence involved. No criminal charges had been filed against Zahnd before his death.

An investigation does not establish that a crime occurred.

Family addresses speculation

The family said news of the investigation had led to speculation that Zahnd faced criminal prosecution and that the inquiry contributed to his death.

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” the statement said.

The family accused unnamed people of trying to exploit Zahnd’s mistake and damage his reputation.

“In the rough world of politics and government leadership, some wanted to exploit a mistake by a good man,” the family said. “We hope that controversy may be ended, and that our family may be allowed to grieve in peace.”

The Highway Patrol had not publicly responded to the family’s request for clarification when this article was updated.

Work took toll on mental health

The family also disclosed that Zahnd had recently sought help for the effects his work had on his mental health.

Every case carried a responsibility to pursue justice while exposing Zahnd to painful images, evidence and testimony, the family said. Those experiences accumulated during more than two decades as prosecutor.

“In recent months, Eric began to get the help he needed in assessing the toll his life’s work took on his mental health,” the statement said.

The family said Zahnd had started developing a plan to help himself and others in law enforcement, emergency response and the military seek mental health care. He also had decided to leave the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and was considering how to explain that decision publicly.

When Zahnd announced in March that he would not seek another term, he said the job had brought great joy to his life but also “considerable pain.”

“Eric paid a great cost for his accomplishments,” the family said. “The accumulated wounds of over two decades of service left their mark.”

The family did not identify a specific diagnosis or provide additional details about Zahnd’s treatment.

Death remains under investigation

The Platte County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a death at the courthouse at approximately 2:15 p.m. Sept. 17. The building was closed, and members of the public and other nonessential personnel were cleared from the courthouse.

Authorities later identified Zahnd, 53, as the person who died. Capt. Jeffrey Shanks, the Sheriff’s Office’s public information officer, said there was no danger to the public.

Authorities have not publicly released an official cause or manner of death.

Shanks later told KSHB that the Sheriff’s Office was unaware of any referral involving the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office or its members and was not conducting a criminal investigation of the office. That statement appears to conflict with the Highway Patrol’s account that the Platte County sheriff requested the Zahnd investigation.

The agencies have not publicly explained the discrepancy.

Interim prosecutor appointed

Following Zahnd’s death, the presiding judge of the Platte County Circuit Court appointed Mark Gibson as interim prosecuting attorney.

Gibson served as Zahnd’s first assistant prosecuting attorney for more than 20 years. He will oversee the office until Gov. Mike Kehoe appoints a permanent replacement.

Zahnd had served as Platte County’s prosecuting attorney since 2002. He was the longest-serving prosecutor in county history and the longest-tenured elected prosecutor in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

The family asked the public to remember Zahnd as a devoted husband and father and as a public servant who advocated for crime victims.

“He fought a war on a battlefield where every victory hurt,” the family said. “He fought these battles so the rest of us would never have to and so the world could be a better place.”

Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.