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A tragic turn of events has unfolded as a Kansas teenager, who was reported missing, has been found dead in Missouri. This grim discovery came after a man confessed to transporting the young boy’s body across state lines and abandoning it in a creek bed.
Airen Andula’s disappearance was first reported on Sunday evening. According to KSHB, the teenager was last seen cycling to a neighbor’s house where he was tasked with caring for their pets during their absence.
The search for Andula spanned two days until 47-year-old Damon Leonard came forward. He contacted authorities in Bates County, Missouri, admitting to his involvement in the teen’s death and disclosed the location of the body. Leonard guided investigators to a remote, rural location approximately half an hour from his residence, where they discovered Andula’s body in a steep ravine, as reported by KMBC.
Subsequently, Leonard has been charged in Missouri with the abandonment of a corpse. Court documents suggest that additional charges related to the boy’s death will be pursued in Kansas, according to previous reports by CrimeOnline.
The investigation is being spearheaded by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department in collaboration with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The Kansas City Police took over the case due to a conflict of interest within Linn County, ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation.
The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department with help from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation are leading the investigation. Kansas City Police said they were asked to conduct the investigation because of a conflict of interest in Linn County.
Investigators are awaiting results of an autopsy for cause and manner of death.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,” the Linn County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “Our community is mourning this heartbreaking loss, and we respectfully ask that the family’s privacy be honored as they grieve.”
Leonard is being held on a $100,000 cash only bail in Kansas, KSHB said.
