Police believe they know the identity of the decomposed body found near Belleville

Shortly after investigators asked for help on Monday in confirming the identity of a man who was found dead in a wooded area behind a gas station near Belleville, the man’s parents contacted the Crestwood, Mo., police department.

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Bruce Fleshren said investigators received several calls relating to the death of Anel Mujkanovic, 28, of St. Louis, after a news conference about the case.

Fleshren said deputies will follow up with Mujkanovic’s family for either dental records or DNA to make a positive identification.

The man may have had an opioid addiction that could have contributed to his death, Fleshren said at a news conference on Monday. Fleshren said again that investigators do not suspect any foul play.

A man’s body was found on Sept. 11 behind the gas station at 1424 Centreville Ave. The man was wearing clothing like that of a man seen on Sept. 3 on a video in the area. That man was identified as Mujkanovic by the person whose car Mujkanovic had borrowed on Sept. 3. The car’s owner told investigators he had tried to assist Mujkanovic in various ways; the owner does not know Mujkanovic’s family.

Mujkanovic apparently parked the vehicle at the Best Royal Inn on Sept. 3. No one checked into the motel with that vehicle, Fleshren said.

Anyone with information about Anel Mujkanovic is asked to call the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department at 618-277-3504.

This story was originally published September 17, 2018 at 4:28 PM.