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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">600 E. Walnut Street
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Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">October 9, 2025</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Brian McNeill
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.825.4022
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Columbia Police arrest suspect for murder and arson on Paris Road</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia Police arrested Brandon Butchkoski, 47, of Columbia, on Oct. 9 on the charge of second-degree murder and first-degree arson in connection with a fire June 15 on Paris Road that killed Donovan Baylis, 31, of Columbia. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On June 15, police officers were dispatched to an assist-fire call in the 1500 block of Paris Road. An investigation revealed that a suspect later identified as Butchkoski had set Baylis and the porch of a residence on fire. Baylis died July 14 of injuries sustained in the fire.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On June 29, police officers responded to another assist-fire call at the same location, and an investigation revealed Butchkoski had again attempted to set the single-story house on fire. There was minor damage to the property. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Butchkoski was arrested July 3 on the charge of first-degree arson in connection with that fire. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Columbia Police Department at 573.874.7652. To provide information without leaving your name or number, call CrimeStoppers at 573.875.8477 or visit </span><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="http://www.p3tips.com/899?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExNTRjcXBNMjA2VVdSazBjZQEeWtTwMybJza38Tl4wSYajyJQTI_Zf713ElqkK6tBAocUUMi1BesJdZydP6eY_aem_xugvqyBs0iQiygoQc-5ZxA"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://www.p3tips.com/899</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. If you provide information to CrimeStoppers that leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,500. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Case Numbers 2025-005949 and 2025-005473</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Missouri statutes:</span></p>
<p><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.021"><span style="font-weight: 400;">565.021 Second-degree murder</span></a></p>
<p><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=569.040"><span style="font-weight: 400;">569.040 First-degree arson</span></a></p></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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