Missing woman, man found dead at southeast Wichita home
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Wichita police discovered Rachel Johnson dead in her car after being reported missing.
- Police found a 39-year-old man, once in a domestic relationship with Johnson, dead nearby.
- Authorities encourage domestic violence victims to seek help through local services.
A woman reported missing under suspicious circumstances last week has been found dead outside of a house in southeast Wichita.
Wichita police say Rachel Johnson, 43, of Wichita was killed sometime after her family members last saw her alive and driving a black Ford Fusion around 9:30 a.m. Friday.
Her body was discovered Sunday inside of the car in the 1800 block of South Longford Circle, in a residential neighborhood near Harry and Rock Road, Wichita police said in a news release. Police are investigating her death as a homicide.
A 39-year-old man was also found dead at the address. The pair had previously been involved in a “domestic relationship,” police said.
Details about exactly what transpired were not immediately released.
Wichita police began looking for Johnson on Saturday after receiving a missing person’s report around 5:17 p.m.
“Because of the nature of the case, homicide investigators were assigned later that evening,” police said.
Authorities also posted on social media asking the public for information about her whereabouts and the location of the car.
After police found Johnson’s body, officers went into the house and found the 39-year-old man dead in the basement “from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
His name was not immediately released.
Wichita police are asking anyone with information about Johnson’s killing to call homicide investigators at 316-268-4407 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.
Wichita police Chief Joe Sullivan called Johnson’s killing “a heartbreaking tragedy” and encouraged victims of domestic violence to seek help.
“A mother has lost her life to a senseless and cowardly act, leaving a family devastated and a community grieving,” he said in the news release.
“If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, call 911 immediately. If it’s not safe to call right away, reach out when you can to trusted local resources such as Harbor House or the Wichita Family Crisis Center. No one should have to live in fear in their own home. Help is available. You are not alone.”
