Investigation continues in Excelsior Springs kidnapping case

02/14/2023

This page contains all of the official information released by law enforcement regarding the investigation of kidnapping, rape and sexual assault discovered Oct. 7 at 301 Old Orchard St., Excelsior Springs, Mo. The investigation is being led by the Excelsior Springs, Missouri, Police Department with assistance from the Clay County Investigative Squad.

Timothy Haslett, Jr., 39, has been charged in the case and remains in the Clay County Detention Center.

The newest information is posted first.

Feb. 14, 2023

A Clay County Grand Jury indicted Timothy M. Haslett on nine felony counts today.

They include one count of first-degree rape, one count of first-degree kidnapping, four counts of first-degree sodomy and two counts of second-degree assault. All of those charges involve the same victim.

Grand Jurors also charged Haslett with felony child endangerment by leaving unsecured firearms accessible to an 8-year-old child.

If he is found guilty on all counts, Haslett faces five life sentences plus 36 years.

One way that cases can be brought in Missouri is by a grand jury. Like a trial jury, grand jurors are selected from a random pool of the community. Unlike a trial jury, grand jurors do not make a finding of guilt, but rather determine whether probable cause exists for a case to proceed to a jury trial. When a case has already been filed by complaint, a grand jury indictment acts as a substitute for a preliminary hearing, elevating the case from Associate Circuit to Circuit level. By law, grand jury proceedings are private and closed to the public.

Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said the indictments were the result of one brave woman and the work of 16 law enforcement agencies whose members have devoted more than 1,200 hours to the case.

Along with the indictment, Haslett’s bond also was increased to $3 million. He remains in custody in the Clay County Detention Center.

Investigators continue to try to find Jaynie Crosdale (see Jan. 11 update below), whom they believe has important information in the case.

Haslett’s next scheduled court appearance will be a docket call at 9 a.m. Feb. 17, 2023, in Division 4 of the Clay County Circuit Court.

Click to download the indictment.

Jan. 11, 2023

The Excelsior Springs Police Department and the Clay County Investigative Squad have identified 36-year-old Jaynie M. Crosdale as a potential witness in the Excelsior Springs rape and kidnapping investigation involving Timothy Haslett, Jr., at 301 Old Orchard Avenue. Ms. Crosdale’s last known address was in Kansas City, Missouri. We have been unable to locate Ms. Crosdale, but we believe she has information about the investigation and ask her to contact us as soon as possible.

If anyone has any information regarding Ms. Crosdale’s whereabouts or how we can contact her, please contact the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Oct. 17, 2022

In regard to the ongoing criminal investigation and criminal charges filed against Timothy M. Haslett, Jr., the Excelsior Springs Police Department has activated the Clay County Investigative Squad (CCIS) Task Force.

The Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional entity composed of members from multiple municipal law enforcement organizations within Clay County, as well as members of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office.

We have checked with law enforcement agencies in the Kansas City metropolitan area and there are no current missing persons reports that correspond with the evidence examined so far in this investigation.

If anyone has information regarding this case that can further the investigation, please call the Excelsior Springs Police Department at 816-629-7108, or if you would like to remain anonymous, please contact the Greater KC Crime Stoppers/Tips Hotline at 816 474-TIPS or at https://kccrimestoppers.com.

Mr. Haslett remains in the Clay County Detention Center on charges of rape, assault and kidnapping. He has been assigned a public defender.

Oct. 9, 2022

Update regarding the search warrant service at 301 Old Orchard: Numerous items have been recovered from the residence, and the process of examining and evaluating those items will begin this week to determine if any other crimes have been committed.

We appreciate the community's patience and support during the search warrant process. The roadways surrounding the residence have been reopened.

Oct. 8, 2022

While Mr. Haslett has been arrested and charged, this is still an active investigation, and additional charges could be forthcoming if evidence of additional crimes is uncovered.

At this time, we do not have any updates regarding the status of the investigation. There are numerous items in the residence that have to be sorted through and it is a slow, painstaking process. We are very appreciative of the assistance we have received from the Kansas City Missouri Police Department's Crime Scene Investigation Unit. The Excelsior Springs Police Department also is very appreciative of the support they have received from the Excelsior Springs community.

The victim has been treated and released from a local hospital.

Oct. 7, 2022

2:23 p.m.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Excelsior Springs, Missouri, Police Department with a reported kidnapping and sexual assault investigation in the 300 block of Old Orchard. A woman reported to Excelsior Springs Police at 7:47 a.m. today that she had been held against her will and sexually assaulted.

ESPD worked with Clay County Sheriff's investigators to take a potential suspect into custody. Police are awaiting a search warrant.

There are rumors on social media that there are additional deceased victims. There is no evidence of that at this time.

4 p.m.
Police have the warrant and are searching the home and property. The search could last into the evening. Kansas City Missouri Police Department's CSI Unit is processing the scene.

9:15 p.m.
Timothy Haslett Jr., age 39, of Excelsior Springs has now been charged with 1st degree rape, 1st degree kidnapping and 2nd degree assault in this incident. No deceased individuals were located at his home.

Timothy Haslett, Jr.

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