Mariana Christian Obituary, Death; – A 31-year-old man has been apprehended in connection with the murder of a missing woman from Wichita, whose remains were discovered earlier this week.
On Tuesday, the Wichita police located the body of 30-year-old Mariana Christian in the vicinity of Cottonwood Park. The Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center confirmed the identity of the remains as hers on Thursday.
On Friday, the police department released an update regarding the investigation. A friend of Christian reported her missing at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 21. The friend indicated that Christian had a history of mental health issues and frequently depended on them for transportation to her workplace. Upon arriving at Christian’s residence in the 1200 block of S. Paige that morning, the friend found that she was not home.
At the residence, the friend encountered a man who would later be identified as the individual arrested by the police. The man informed the friend that he was unaware of Christian’s location. He asserted that she had departed the apartment on Friday, July 18, in a truck with an unidentified man and woman and had not returned since. He also voiced concerns for her safety. Although he was not listed on the lease, the man seemed to be residing in the apartment.
Authorities stated that they recognized the man as a person of interest. Crime scene investigators examined Christian’s apartment and uncovered evidence suggesting foul play. They pursued leads that ultimately led them to locate Christian in the park.
The man was taken into custody on Wednesday and subsequently booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. Police reported that he has been officially charged with premeditated first-degree murder. KSN is currently working to verify the charges before disclosing his identity.
“This is a tragic case, and I extend my deepest condolences to Mariana Christian’s family and friends,” remarked Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan. “From the patrol officer who initially responded, to our investigators, recruits, and mounted unit, as well as the Kansas Bureau of Investigations, our department collaborated to uncover the truth. Their combined efforts led to the suspect’s arrest and ultimately provided some closure regarding Mariana’s death.
Police say the investigation is still active.
