Robert Earl Hamilton, 52, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the back of the head at his Lee’s Summit, Missouri home in the 1100 block of Southwest Arborfair Drive late the evening of August 31, 2022. His wife returned from work around 9:15 p.m., found the front door locked and then discovered him unresponsive on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood. First responders confirmed the fatal wound at the scene.

Detectives learned Robert’s adult son, Michael E. Hamilton, had moved into the house a few weeks earlier and that neighbors described the relationship as hostile, with the younger Hamilton reported to have mental health struggles. Surveillance footage showed Michael’s pickup leaving the driveway around 7:00 p.m. that night; cell phone tracking placed him driving into Kansas and then back into Missouri. He was located in Cooper County during a traffic stop on September 1 and taken into custody. Two handguns with apparent blood were found on him; forensic testing later linked a 9mm handgun to the fatal shot. Investigators also collected handwritten notes at the home containing phrases such as I didn’t want this and allegations of abuse.

Prosecutors charged Michael, 23 at the time of arrest, with second-degree murder and armed criminal action; the case proceeded in Jackson County Circuit Court. Does anyone have additional information about the family, the notes found at the scene, or who might have seen the pickup leaving that evening?