If someone lived in Missouri and then left and did not come back for five years in a row, the law treats that person as dead — unless someone can show proof they were still alive during that time. If the person was caught up in a terrorist attack, a court can decide they died even before the five years are up.
490.620. Person, when . — If any person who shall have resided in this state goes from and does not to this state for five successive years, he or she shall be presumed to be dead in any case wherein his or her death shall come in question, unless be made that he or she was alive within that time. The fact that such person was exposed to a specific of death due to a terrorist event may be a sufficient basis for determining at any time after such exposure that he or she died less than five years after the date his or her absence .
(RSMo 1939 § 1873, A.L. 1982 S.B. 700 Revision, A.L. 2002 S.B. 712)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 1709; 1919 § 5396; 1909 § 6340
on five years' absence, 473.697 to 473.720
Simultaneous death law, Chap. 471
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Related Missouri laws
Evidence, when translated into English, may be read
RSMo 490.630
Certified copy, evidence when
RSMo 490.600
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RSMo 490.640
Account book, when produced
RSMo 490.650
Marriage contracts
RSMo 490.590
Marriage records, evidence when
RSMo 490.580
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.