Thousand Hills State Park west of Kirksville is set to reopen on at 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 12, 2022.

Missouri State Parks made the announcement Wednesday afternoon.

The park has been closed since Aug. 2, 2022, after a reported sighting near the park of wanted murder suspect Jesse Rongey, 38, of Kirksville.

The fugitive is wanted for first-degree murder and five other felonies in last month's shooting death and mutilation of Stephen Munn, 54, of Kirksville.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources said in a Facebook post that Thousand Hills State Park was closed out of an abundance of caution to protect the public and permit law enforcement to conduct their activity.

Even though the rest of the park will reopen Friday, the wooded trails will remain closed until further notice.

Visitors are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to a park representative or to the Adair County Sheriff's Office at 660-665-4644.