Zahnd family speaks out following death of Platte County Prosecutor, cites MSHP investigation as ‘further from the truth’

PLATTE COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) -- The family of Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd released a statement following his recent death less than a week ago.

Zahnd, who died in the Platte County Courthouse Thursday, had served in his role since 2002 and was finishing out his term.

Following Zahnd's death, a Missouri State Highway Patrol statement cited that he was part of a criminal investigation, his family said the speculation is untrue.

His family sent a statement to media outlets Monday morning:

"Eric Zahnd was a loving husband and father, and a great friend and colleague to so many.
Losing Eric has been a staggering blow and our hearts are shattered.

And while we would prefer to grieve in private, we recognize Eric was a public figure. The tragedy of his
passing is not only shared by his many admirers but also exploited by those who opportunistically use the occasion to damage his stellar reputation.

We are grateful to so many who have expressed their admiration for Eric’s accomplishments as a leader in justice. We deeply appreciate the leaders from all over Missouri and Kansas City who have taken the time in this awful moment to reach out and reflect on Eric’s character and integrity.

We also appreciate the media whose work has helped remind us all of Eric’s accomplishments and his legacy of building a better world in the justice system in Platte County, in the KC metro, and in Missouri. Eric truly was a champion of the most vulnerable.

Eric paid a great cost for his accomplishments. Every case carried a solemn responsibility
to pursue justice, and it meant sharing in the pain of victims, wading through images,
evidence, and testimony that seared the heart. The accumulated wounds of over two
decades of service left their mark.

In recent months, Eric began to get the help he needed in assessing the toll his life’s work
took on his mental health. We were so glad that he did, although it was humbling to
acknowledge the challenge. Knowing he now shared what so many in America’s law
enforcement, emergency responders, and military communities face, Eric had started to
lay out a plan to help himself and others get the help they need. But he also knew he
would have to change his vocation.

In quiet conversations with family, colleagues, and close friends, Eric decided to close the chapter of his life serving as Platte County Prosecuting Attorney.

He was choosing the moment to explain why and how he wanted to help lead in a new way. When he made that decision, Eric noted that while the “job [had] brought great joy to [his] life,” it had also been accompanied by “considerable pain.”

Recent news has referenced an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol
(MHSP), offering no context and understandably causing many to speculate Eric may
have been facing criminal prosecution and that these circumstances were the cause of his
death. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Eric made a mistake and used his official county email to indicate that he would not
support the reelection of a candidate. It was a mistake. We know in full health Eric would
never have made that error.

In the rough world of politics and government leadership, some wanted to exploit a
mistake by a good man.

We hope that controversy may be ended, and that our family may
be allowed to grieve in peace."