Man Pleads Guilty In 1987 Death Of St. Clair Woman

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said Friday that a man has pleaded guilty in the 1987 death of Karla Delcour.

Kirby R. King, 67, pleaded guilty to felonious restraint and manslaughter, ending a case that began nearly 36 years ago.

Delcour was discovered June 24, 1987 in a wooded area along the North Service Road, approximately two miles west of St. Clair.

She was discovered in a state of decomposition, bound at the wrists and the neck.

The St. Louis Medical Examiner determined her death to be strangulation by ligature.

Her last steps were in St. Clair and her murder occurred on or around June 21, 1987 at a residence off Iron Hill Road in Union.

Her murder remained unsolved for the next 30 years, but the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Investigations Unit reopened the case.

Detectives traveled to Texas, Arizona and around Missouri to re-interview suspects and witnesses.

King was arrested in December 2019, charged with second-degree murder.

“The tireless efforts in unraveling the truth and meticulously piecing together the puzzle have not only provided closure to the victim's family but have also made a significant impact on the community,” said Franklin County Sheriff Steven Pelton in a press release. “The work of the team listed above along with the original investigators serves as a shining example of the importance of never giving up and the profound impact that can be made by pursuing justice relentlessly. This case will be remembered as a testament to the unwavering commitment for truth and justice. 

Well done and thank you for bringing justice to Karla and her family.”