Jul 21, 2026

Kansas woman accused fatal knife attack on a roommate

Posted Jul 21, 2026 11:00 AM
Lewis photo Wyandotte County
Lewis photo Wyandotte County

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities have released the name of the victim in a fatal knife attack on July 16, as 61-year-old Gayle Bowie-Gardner, according to a statement from Kansas City, Kansas Police.

Just after 11:30p.m. on Thursday, a resident of an apartment complex in the vicinity of N. 10 and Ridge called 911 dispatch to report a stabbing.

When officers arrived on scene, they discovered Bowie-Gardner in an interior hallway, the victim of apparent stab wounds. She was pronounced deceased on scene. A suspect, later identified as 35-year-old Kyla Vernae Lewis was taken into custody a short time later.

Lewis has been charged in Wyandotte County with 1st degree murder. She is currently being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $750,000 bond.