KANSAS CITY, MO - A woman in her twenties has been arrested for allegedly killing an elderly woman in her 90s, who authorities found dead in her own shower.
The suspect, 27-year-old Kelisha Reeves, is accused of one count of first-degree murder in connection with the death of 93-year-old Diana Barco, according to a press release issued by the Clay County Prosecutor's Office, Law & Crime reported. The incidents allegedly occurred between June 8 and June 9 at a residence on Briarcliff Road in Kansas City.
On June 9, authorities were called to the residence about a body. Upon arriving on scene, the Kansas City Police Department found Barco with what officers initially described as "bodily trauma." Reeves was quickly arrested for the older woman's death, but the details were initially scarce. Prosecutors filed the charges shortly after.
A care worker found Barco's walker outside near the front door, according to a probable cause statement obtained by KCTV. The worker then went in the house to look for the victim and found her lying face down in the shower.
Around 11:30 a.m. on the day in question, authorities arrived at the scene and found the victim without a shirt or bra on, but still wearing her pants and socks, according to police. A handheld showerhead attached to a hose had been pulled out of the wall and wrapped around Barco's upper body, police said.
Investigators also noted the presence of what looked like blood in the doorway leading into the bathroom and clothing covered in blood on the bathroom floor, according to charging documents.
The elderly victim was found to have suffered multiple apparent stab wounds to the back of her head and neck, police said, citing the medical examiner. She also appeared to have been strangled. During the investigation, detectives learned about other reported crimes in the vicinity of the woman's death.
As it turned out, a domestic violence case involving property damage as well as arson was reported in the immediate area on June 8. In both of those cases, Reeves was listed as the suspect, police said.
The victim in that case said Reeves was among a group of three people seen walking away from the fire, one of whom allegedly said, "If I can't have a place to live, neither can you."
When Barco's family was given access to the residence, they noticed a credit card was missing, police said. That same card was allegedly found with Reeves when she was eventually arrested in Jasper County, some 150 miles south of Kansas City, on June 13 in relation to the property damage case.
The credit card had the victim's name scratched out, police said. Additionally, police found other items that appeared to have been taken from Barco's residence, the charging document stated.
Reeves told detectives she was across the street from the victim's house when Barco saw her crying and told her to come over for safety. Then, Reeves allegedly told detectives that she slept on a bench in front of Barco's house until the elderly woman gave her the credit card so she could find safety and shelter, and even added her as an authorized user.
Reeves is currently being held in the Clay County Jail on a $1 million bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on June 30.
The suspect, 27-year-old Kelisha Reeves, is accused of one count of first-degree murder in connection with the death of 93-year-old Diana Barco, according to a press release issued by the Clay County Prosecutor's Office, Law & Crime reported. The incidents allegedly occurred between June 8 and June 9 at a residence on Briarcliff Road in Kansas City.
On June 9, authorities were called to the residence about a body. Upon arriving on scene, the Kansas City Police Department found Barco with what officers initially described as "bodily trauma." Reeves was quickly arrested for the older woman's death, but the details were initially scarce. Prosecutors filed the charges shortly after.
A care worker found Barco's walker outside near the front door, according to a probable cause statement obtained by KCTV. The worker then went in the house to look for the victim and found her lying face down in the shower.
Around 11:30 a.m. on the day in question, authorities arrived at the scene and found the victim without a shirt or bra on, but still wearing her pants and socks, according to police. A handheld showerhead attached to a hose had been pulled out of the wall and wrapped around Barco's upper body, police said.
Investigators also noted the presence of what looked like blood in the doorway leading into the bathroom and clothing covered in blood on the bathroom floor, according to charging documents.
The elderly victim was found to have suffered multiple apparent stab wounds to the back of her head and neck, police said, citing the medical examiner. She also appeared to have been strangled. During the investigation, detectives learned about other reported crimes in the vicinity of the woman's death.
As it turned out, a domestic violence case involving property damage as well as arson was reported in the immediate area on June 8. In both of those cases, Reeves was listed as the suspect, police said.
The victim in that case said Reeves was among a group of three people seen walking away from the fire, one of whom allegedly said, "If I can't have a place to live, neither can you."
When Barco's family was given access to the residence, they noticed a credit card was missing, police said. That same card was allegedly found with Reeves when she was eventually arrested in Jasper County, some 150 miles south of Kansas City, on June 13 in relation to the property damage case.
The credit card had the victim's name scratched out, police said. Additionally, police found other items that appeared to have been taken from Barco's residence, the charging document stated.
Reeves told detectives she was across the street from the victim's house when Barco saw her crying and told her to come over for safety. Then, Reeves allegedly told detectives that she slept on a bench in front of Barco's house until the elderly woman gave her the credit card so she could find safety and shelter, and even added her as an authorized user.
Reeves is currently being held in the Clay County Jail on a $1 million bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on June 30.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments