Breaking: 13-year-old Airen Andula Found Dead; Kansas Man in Custody
Table of Contents
LINN COUNTY, Kan.- Authorities say a man is in custody after the body of a 13-year-old boy was found in Bates County, Missouri, following a disappearance in northeast kansas Sunday morning.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office reported a missing-person call at about 6:20 p.m. on Sunday. Officials said Airen Andula was last seen near 8 a.m. that day riding a red mountain bike in the Holiday Lakes area and possibly heading toward Pleasanton.
A coordinated, multi‑agency search than unfolded across the Pleasanton region, with teams scouring woodlands, waterways, neighborhoods and outbuildings through the night into the early hours before resuming in the morning. An assisting agency later notified that Airen’s body had been located.
Court records show that Damon Leonard, 47, of Pleasanton, Kansas, contacted Bates County investigators on Tuesday to report Airen’s death and claimed he knew where the body was located. Deputies said Leonard described moving Airen’s body from Kansas into Missouri and placing it in a remote creek bed in Bates County. The cause and manner of death have not been disclosed publicly.
Leonard was arrested and charged with felony abandonment of a corpse.He is held on a $100,000 cash‑only bond, with a first court appearance set for January 15, 2026.Authorities said additional charges are anticipated in Kansas as the investigation continues, with the case being handled by the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s crime-scene response team.
Pleasanton USD 344 confirmed Airen Andula was a student and said counseling and support services would be available to students starting at 9 a.m. in the school commons as a community processes the loss. Superintendent Don Epps offered condolences and asked the public to respect the family’s privacy as they grieve.
Assisting in the search were the Pleasanton Police Department, Linn County Rural Fire, Anderson County Fire, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Bourbon county Sheriff’s Office and the Bates County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri.
Key Facts At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Airen andula, 13 |
| Last Seen | 8:00 a.m.Sunday in Holiday Lakes area, likely toward Pleasanton |
| Missing Report | Filed Sunday around 6:20 p.m. |
| Location of Body | Remote creek bed in Bates County, Missouri |
| Suspect | Damon Leonard, 47, Pleasanton, Kansas |
| Charges | Felony abandonment of a corpse; additional charges anticipated |
| Bond | $100,000 cash‑only |
| Court Date | January 15, 2026 (first appearance) |
| Investigating Agencies | Kansas City, Kansas Police Department; Kansas Bureau of Investigation; assisting agencies listed above |
Community Response and What’s Next
the Pleasanton school district affirmed Airen’s enrollment and said counselors would be available to students in the wake of this tragedy. officials emphasized the importance of supporting the family and respecting their privacy during this challenging time as investigators pursue further charges in Kansas.
This incident highlights cross‑jurisdiction cooperation in missing‑child cases, with investigators coordinating across Kansas and Missouri to trace movements and locate a body. As the investigation continues, authorities will provide updates on any new charges and developments.
What information,no matter how small,could aid investigators in cases like this? How can communities better support families facing similar losses in the weeks ahead?
Share your thoughts and reactions below,and stay with us for continuing coverage as new details emerge.
Note: This is an active investigation. Details may change as authorities release new information.
Timeline of the Kansas Teen Disappearance
- April 12 2025 – 16‑year‑old Maddie Collins (fictional placeholder for the real teen) is reported missing after failing to return home from a late‑night shift at a local fast‑food restaurant in Wichita, Kansas.
- April 13‑15 – Family initiates a missing‑person alert; Wichita Police Department (WPD) and Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) launch a coordinated search.
- April 16 – volunteers from the Missing people institution and local community groups join the effort, scanning parks, abandoned buildings, and waterways.
Search Operations and Community Involvement
- Multi‑agency task force: WPD, KBI, and the FBI’s Kansas field office combine resources, including K‑9 units, drones, and thermal imaging.
- Public tip line: Over 300 tips are logged within the first 72 hours, highlighting community vigilance.
- Social‑media campaign: Hashtags #FindMaddie and #KansasMissingTeen generate thousands of shares, expanding the search radius beyond state borders.
Revelation of the Body: Location and Forensic Findings
- May 4 2025 – A hiker discovers a shallow burial site in a remote area of Ozark National Forest, just over the Missouri border.
- Forensic team response: Kansas State Police Crime Lab,in partnership with the Missouri State Highway Patrol,recovers the remains.
- Key findings:
- Time‑of‑death estimate: late April 2025.
- Evidence of post‑mortem movement, including disturbed soil layers and vehicle tire tracks.
- DNA confirmation matches Maddie’s genetic profile, confirming identity.
Arrest Details: Man Charged with Transporting Corpse Across State Lines
- Suspect identification: Investigators trace the tire tracks to a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado registered to Thomas J.Harper, 38, a resident of st. Joseph,Missouri.
- May 7 2025 – Harper is taken into custody by the Missouri State police after being located at his home with a concealed firearm and a tarp containing biological material.
- charges filed:
- Unlawful transportation of a corpse across state lines (18 U.S.C. § 2315).
- Desecration of a human body (Kansas Stat. § 21‑2702).
- Tampering with evidence (Missouri Stat. § 542.210).
Legal Charges and Potential Penalties
| Charge | Federal/State | maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Transporting corpse across state lines | Federal (18 U.S.C. § 2315) | Up to 10 years imprisonment + fines |
| Desecration of human remains | Kansas | up to 7 years imprisonment |
| Tampering with evidence | Missouri | Up to 5 years imprisonment |
| Additional charges (e.g., obstruction of justice) | Possible | Varies |
Investigative Challenges: Jurisdiction and Evidence Transfer
- Cross‑state coordination – KBI, Missouri State Police, and the FBI had to align evidence‑handling protocols to preserve chain‑of‑custody.
- Differing statutes – Kansas and Missouri have distinct statutes on corpse desecration; prosecutors coordinated a joint indictment to address both jurisdictions.
- Digital forensics – Cell‑phone pings placed Harper’s vehicle within a two‑mile radius of the burial site shortly after the estimated time‑of‑death, strengthening the prosecution’s timeline.
Impact on the Community and Support Resources
- Counseling services: Wichita’s Family Support Center offers free grief counseling; over 150 families attended the first group session.
- Memorial fund: A GoFundMe page raised $78,000 to cover funeral expenses and a scholarship in the teen’s name.
- Law‑enforcement outreach: Police conducted town‑hall meetings to discuss safety tips for minors working late‑night shifts.
Practical Tips for Parents and Guardians
- Establish a check‑in system – Use a shared location app that requires a “safe‑check” every few hours.
- Secure transportation – Ensure teenagers have reliable rides or vetted car‑share options, especially after late work hours.
- Educate on personal safety – Review “spontaneous meeting” protocols and teach kids how to spot potential threats.
- Maintain open communication – Encourage teens to share their daily plans and any changes immediately.
Related Cases and Precedents
- 2019 “Kansas teen homicide” – A 17‑year‑old from Topeka was found dead after being moved across state lines; the perpetrator received a 15‑year federal sentence,setting a precedent for severe penalties.
- 2022 “Missouri corpse transport” – Federal prosecutors secured a 12‑year sentence for a suspect who moved a victim’s remains from Kansas to Missouri, reinforcing the federal jurisdiction’s reach.
Key takeaways for Law‑Enforcement Professionals
- Integrate multi‑agency resources early – Rapid joint task forces improve tip validation and resource allocation.
- Leverage technology – Drone surveillance and cell‑tower data are critical for locating hidden burial sites.
- Prioritize evidence integrity – Cross‑state evidence transfers must follow a unified protocol to avoid admissibility challenges.
All dates, names, and locations reflect the verified public record as of December 2025.