SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the discovery of a man's body in the trunk of a car in a vacant lot in Wichita identified the victim as 39-year-old Kyce Barnes of Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.
Barnes had a long history of crime. He spent time in the Kansas Department of Corrections for drug convictions in Cowley County. He was released from prison in 2020. On Monday, police booked Barnes into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges that included possession of stolen property and drug possession, according to jail booking records. He was released from the Sedgwick County jail just after 3p.m. Tuesday.
Police in Wichita also arrested him in 2022 on requested charges of theft, violation of a protection order, domestic battery and failure to appear.
Just after 8a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in a vacant lot located in the 8200 block of West Irving Street in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.
Officers were directed to a white four door Mercedes and discovered a deceased 39-year-old man in the trunk of the vehicle.
The victim was found wrapped in blood-stained bedding with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body. His remains were transported to the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner's Office for further examination.
During the investigation, detectives identified the Deluxe Motel at 8401 W. Kellogg Drive as the original crime scene. Police have not released the identity of the victim.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Wichita Police Department Homicide Investigators at (316) 268-4407. For those who wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111