Man accused of killing Wichita woman had been released from New Mexico jail

The man charged with killing a Wichita woman and leaving her body in a park had a warrant for his arrest in New Mexico after not appearing in court there, court records show. And he had been released from jail by a judge despite a prosecutor’s contention that he would be a threat to the community.

Court documents also show Kyle Sam Bearden had a warrant for his arrest in a Wichita traffic case.

The 31-year-old Wichita man has been charged with first-degree intentional murder in the killing of 31-year-old Mariana “Mari” Christian. Family and friends say she was letting him stay with her at her apartment until he could get back on his feet.

Police said there was evidence of foul play at her apartment before her body was dumped in Cottonwood Park.

Her body was found on July 29. She had been shot.

A condition of Bearden’s release from jail in New Mexico was that he could not have a firearm or dangerous weapon, court records show.

Here is what documents from the Albuquerque, New Mexico case say:

On Nov. 30, 2024, Bearden was sleeping in a car parked in a hotel parking lot when a person hired by the hotel to do parking enforcement asked him to move. Bearden’s dog was in the car, too.

Bearden said the Chevrolet Cruze was broken down and he would not move it even if the person helped him push it off the property.

Bearden “continued to argue and refused help,” a criminal complaint in the case says, alleging Bearden then pulled out a gun and pointed it at the man.

Police were called.

Bearden told them he didn’t point a gun at anyone and was in fear for his life. In the car, police found a .45 caliber handgun, 56 live rounds and two magazines.

Bearden was charged with aggravated assault with a gun and possession of a firearm by a felon.

In late December, New Mexico Second Judicial District Court Judge Brett Loveless denied a request to have Bearden kept in custody until his trial.

Assistant District Attorney Carlos Pacheco argued that, based on his history of being convicted of second-degree burglary in a 2018 North Carolina case, and the “nature and seriousness” of the case he was now charged in, “there are no conditions of release that will keep the community safe.”

Loveless said the state “did not meet their burden” of proving Bearden would be a threat to others.

In agreeing to his orders of release from custody, Bearden listed an address in Wichita as his mailing address.

Bearden had a hearing scheduled for Jan. 21, but never showed up, court records show. A warrant for his arrest was made that day and signed by Loveless.

A warrant was also issued for Bearden’s arrest last September in a Wichita Municipal Court case where he was accused of driving with a suspended, canceled or revoked driver’s license, court records show.