UPDATE:

Wichita Police discovered the pickup truck they had been searching for all day Friday in regards to a homicide at a South Wichita apartment building. The brown, 1988 GMC pickup was discovered abandoned at the side of I-135 near the K-254 interchange.

"I'm positive this is the vehicle we have been looking for in connection with this morning's crime," said Wichita Police Sgt. Colin Gallagher.

Gallagher says a KHP motorist assist officer noticed the vehicle shortly before sunrise Friday before news of the murder and fire at Riverwalk Apartments had broken. The officer simply tagged the vehicle with a tow sticker and left the area.

"Nobody knew what was going on yet," Gallagher said. "Information had not been distributed regarding the fire and murder down south."

Passers-by recognized the vehicle from news broadcasts late Friday afternoon. Troopers and WPD officers went back out and had the vehicle towed. However, the man said to be the live-in boyfriend or roommate of the victim has yet to be found.

If you know that man's whereabouts, you are urged to call 911 immediately. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously at 267-2111.
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Friday, January 29, 2010

Fire officials have confirmed that one person is dead after an early morning fire in south Wichita. They say the victim is a female, however they are not identifying the body at this time.

The fire was mostly contained to one unit but, six units had to be evacuated and 10 to 15 residents have been displaced by the fire.

Investigators said the 52-year-old woman suffered blunt force trauma. However, they are not saying if she died from the trauma or the fire.

Investigators are searching for a 1988 brown GMC pickup truck with Kansas license plate XST 744.

The attached photo of the suspect in the case was taken at a nearby QuikTrip.

Anyone with information about the suspect’s identity, his whereabouts or the truck should contact either call 911, the Wichita Police Department Homicide Section at 316-268-4181, or report an anonymously tip to Crime Stoppers at either 316-268-2111 or 1-800-222 TIPS (8477).

Anonymous tips can also be sent to Crime Stoppers from a cell phone by texting the tip to CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with TIP217. Tips to Crime Stoppers can be sent anonymously via the Internet by going to www.wsccs.com.