Mo. Rev. Stat. § 58.490: Unclaimed money or property found on deceased, turned over to public administrator by coroner.

The coroner, within thirty days after an inquest upon a dead body, shall deliver to the county or city public administrator any money or other property that may be found upon the body, unless claimed in the meantime by the legal representatives of the deceased. If he or she fails to do so, the public administrator may proceed against him or her for its recovery by a civil action in the name of the state for the use of the county or city.