AN 18-year-old high school student's body is found dead near a highway in Missouri, sparking a homicide investigation.

Franklin County Sheriff's officials identified the deceased body found near highway 100 in Pacific on Wednesday as Kiley Kennedy of Eureka.

Major Case Squad spokesman Lt Tom Wilkison said officials discovered a person’s body lying on the ground next to a vehicle.

Kennedy was a senior at Eureka high school, set to graduate in the spring.

According to Wilkison, the 18-year-old's death is being investigated as a homicide.

The Rockwood school district announced Kennedy's death in a statement to students and families.

"It is with great sadness that I share that we have lost another member of our Rockwood family.

"Kiley Kennedy, a senior at Eureka, passed away unexpectedly yesterday. Dr. Corey Sink, EHS principal, has reached out to Kiley’s family to offer our sympathy, concern and support."

The district added: "Our district has certainly experienced tremendous loss in a very short amount of time.

"Please join us in expressing our deepest sympathy to Kiley’s family and friends, as well as the students and staff at Eureka High School."

'A GOOD PERSON'

Kennedy's friend, Gia Lakey, told Fox2 that she found out about her death on Snapchat.

"My heart just sank to my stomach. She truly was a good person.”

Lakey told the outlet that she was talking with Kennedy hours before her death, and when she didn’t reply, she felt that something was wrong.

“I kept calling after because, usually, she answers. Then, I found out the hard way, in just the worst way possible,” Lakey added.

Kennedy's co-worker Mackenzie Shelton has set up a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses and donations for her family.

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