Siblings sue father in Kansas mother’s death

TOPEKA — The children of a slain rural Horton woman have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against their father and the man who is serving a life sentence for killing her.

The lawsuit filed Monday by the children of Patricia Kimmi, 58, alleges her ex-husband, Eugene Kimmi, conspired with two people to have her killed.

Patricia Kimmi was last seen alive on Nov. 6, 2009. Her decomposed remains were found six months later on a farm near Sabetha. An exact cause of death has never been determined.

The lawsuit claims Eugene Kimmi conspired with Roger Hollister and his wife, Rebecca Hollister, to cause Patricia Kimmi’s death.

The lawsuit was filed in Atchison County District Court by Eugene M. Kimmi II, Rita Boller, Anthony Kimmi and David Kimmi. They are seeking an amount “in excess of $75,000.”

Roger Hollister was sentenced to life in prison in the death in April. His wife was questioned but never charged. Eugene Kimmi also has not been charged.

A phone listing could not be found for Eugene Kimmi or Rebecca Hollister, who now lives in Topeka.

Kimmi’s children testified during Roger Hollister’s trial that their father was verbally abusive to their mother, cheated on her and was upset about monthly payments he was required to make after the couple divorced. Several people, including attorneys on both sides, alleged during the trial that Eugene Kimmi played a role in his ex-wife’s death.

Hollister’s defense attorney argued during the trial that Hollister lied to police about what happened to Patricia Kimmi because he was afraid of Eugene Kimmi, who the attorney claimed had threatened Hollister and his wife.

After Hollister was convicted, Atchison County Attorney Gerald Kuckelman Jr. said the investigation into Patricia Kimmi’s death continued.

After a friend became concerned because she couldn’t reach Kimmi on Nov. 7, 2009, Boller went to Kimmi’s home and discovered the house in disarray. It was six months before Kimmi’s remains were discovered on property belonging to Roger Hollister’s brother, adjacent to Hollister’s farm outside Sabetha.

Roger Hollister also was later convicted of trying to kill his own wife.

On Feb. 26, 2010, the Hollisters were driving on U.S. 75 when authorities say he became upset with her for asking why he had become involved in the Patricia Kimmi matter and he drove into the path of a semitrailer, injuring himself and his wife.

This story was originally published September 28, 2011 at 12:00 AM.