‘He had a big heart’: Sheriff says missing Washington County man found dead, family left grieving

WASHINGTON COUNTY (KSNT) – The search for a missing man in Washington County is over after law enforcement said he was found dead.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office posted to social media on Feb. 17, 2024 asking for help from the public in locating Ben Berger, 44. The search ended on Thursday, Feb. 22 when law enforcement located Berger deceased. His death is not being investigated as a suspicious death case at this time.

Undersheriff Corey Riggs with the sheriff’s office said Berger was found in Washington County. It is believed he died as the result of a crash on Saturday, Feb. 17. His body is currently being sent in for an autopsy to confirm his cause of death.

“The Sheriff’s Office offers our deepest condolences to Ben’s family.”

Washington County Sheriff’s Office social media statement excerpt

27 News spoke with Berger’s sister, Suzette Yungeberg, about her brother’s passing. She said he would often go for drives out into the countryside to relax and “clear his head” whenever he was stressed out.

“He had a big heart,” Yungeberg said. “He cared for everybody. He would do anything for everybody.”

She said her brother was quiet and reserved but would always be ready to crack a joke to make someone smile if they were having a bad time.

“He would give the shirt off his back if he had to,” Yungeberg said. “He sacrificed all his time. Made sure everybody was taken care of.”

Berger held a job as a conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad and was volunteering as a member of a local rural fire department since he was a teenager. He leaves behind his wife, stepdaughter and two siblings.

“It’s just a large gaping hole in this community,” Yungeberg said.

If you want to report someone as missing in Kansas, time is of the essence. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) maintains a page on its website with extensive tips on what to do if you want to report someone as missing to law enforcement. You can learn more about this process by clicking here.

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