The city of Wichita, Kansas was shocked by a gruesome discovery on Wednesday morning when police found the body of 39-year-old Kyce A. Barnes in the trunk of a car in west Wichita. The Wichita Police Department received a call just after 7 a.m. reporting an abandoned vehicle in a field in the 8200 block of W. Irving, south of Kellogg and a few blocks east of Tyler Road.
Upon arrival, officers found Barnes‘ body in the trunk of a white four-door Mercedes. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body and was wrapped in blood-stained bedding. The investigation led officers to the Delux Inn located at 8401 W. Kellogg Drive, just a couple of hundred yards from where the vehicle with the body was found.
Captain Ronald Hunt of the WPD stated, „We believe the incident maybe occurred over here, so just trying to speak to witnesses and review video and attempt to find out what led up to this incident. We believe that the incident happened here, and the vehicle was taken over there with the male inside.“ The body was then taken to the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination.
As of Thursday at noon, police have not made any arrests in the case and it is too soon to talk about a motive as detectives are still in the early stages of the investigation. Investigators are urging anyone who may have seen something in the area between 8 p.m. Tuesday and 2 a.m. Wednesday to come forward. They can contact 911 or WPD detectives at 316-268-4407. If they wish to remain anonymous, they can call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.
The community of Wichita is left in shock and disbelief at the tragic death of Kyce A. Barnes. The circumstances surrounding his death are still unclear, and the police are working diligently to uncover the truth. As the investigation continues, residents are urged to come forward with any information that may help bring justice for Barnes and his loved ones.