No. Cannibalism is not explicitly legal in Missouri, as state statutes criminalize acts involving the consumption or mutilation of human remains without lawful authority. Missouri’s 2025 updates to Mo. Rev. Stat. § 568.085 (Abuse of a Corpse) broaden penalties to include digital or symbolic representations of such acts, aligning with federal 2026 guidance on post-mortem exploitation. Local prosecutors in St. Louis and Kansas City have invoked these provisions against cases involving non-consensual or commercialized consumption.
Key Regulations for Cannibalism in Missouri
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 568.085 (Abuse of a Corpse): Prohibits knowingly dismembering, mutilating, or consuming human remains, with Class C felony penalties (up to 7 years imprisonment) for violations. The 2025 amendment expands “consumption” to include synthetic or digital depictions if intended to incite harm.
- Local Ordinances: St. Louis County’s 2024 Public Health Code (Chapter 13) empowers the Department of Health to investigate suspected cases, requiring mandatory reporting by medical examiners and funeral directors within 24 hours of discovery.
- Federal Nexus Clause (2026): Cases involving interstate commerce (e.g., online sales of “survivalist” kits) may trigger U.S. DOJ jurisdiction under the Post-Mortem Exploitation Prevention Act, imposing federal charges with mandatory life imprisonment for repeat offenders.