Missing man found dead inside chimney after his shoes seen dangling from shaft

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A maintenance worker at the building discovered Zachariah Andrews’ body while investigating the source of a foul odour (Image: Courtesy photo)
A maintenance worker at the building discovered Zachariah Andrews’ body while investigating the source of a foul odour (Image: Courtesy photo)

A missing man was found inside a chimney after his shoes were seen dangling from the shaft and screams were heard by residents.

The body of a missing man was identified as 29-year-old Zachariah Andrews, a month after Nebraska residents had called the police after they heard screams from inside the building. On 16, September, Norfolk police received a call from a tenant who reported a man yelling for help and that appeared to be coming from the first floor of the building.

Two officers responded to the call and visited the building, but a few minutes before the officers arrived the shouts had stopped. The police left telling the tenant to call back if he heard anything else. Captain Michael Bauer said that responding officers also had contact with three additional residents, including people directly under the apartment where Andrews was later found and none had heard the same noises.

Missing man found dead inside chimney after his shoes seen dangling from shaft eiqrziquhieinvHe had an arrest warrant issued against him more than two weeks after he vanished (Madison County Sheriff's Department)

Andrews was identified on Wednesday October 25. He had an arrest warrant issued against him more than two weeks after he vanished, police said. His body was recovered on October, 19 when a maintenance worker investigated a foul odor from the apartment and discovered shoes hanging out of the chimney.

Bauer said that Andrews was identified by scars, marks, tattoos, and an identification card that was found with his body. He added that police have had regular contact with Andrews' family since the beginning of the investigation. Andrews was officially reported missing Oct. 3, the same day the Madison County Sheriff’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest on seven counts of violating a protection order.

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Over the last several months, Andrews repeatedly posted on his Facebook page in an attempt to reach an unnamed woman, with several of his friends warning him to let her go and one advising him to remember what he learned “in treatment.” In one post, Andrews claims police raided his “love letters” to her before telling him his goals of being with her “weren’t realistic.” He wrote: “I kinda wanna prove them wrong tho.”

Andrews was also charged in 2018 with allegedly trying to entice a 12-year-old girl who was trying to sell a swimsuit on Facebook. In a text conversation, he allegedly offered for her to visit his place to have a drink and “see what happens,” along with more sexual comments, according to Souixland Proud.

He had also been charged with resisting arrest by kicking police officers after he assaulted another man in April of last year. While he was missing, a parking warning was placed on his car — which was directly in front of the apartment building he was stuck inside.

His friend Josh Isenbart wrote on Facebook: “I couldn’t image how you were feeling being trapped but now you are free my brotha, free in gods (sic) hands! Spread your wings angel. I’ll cherish every day that I did have with you there until we meet again my friend, you are no longer suffering and are now in the best place you can be.” Police believe Andrews’ death was accidental, but are still investigating.

Emilia Randall

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