Kansas man found dead in trunk of car had just been released from prison

SEDGWICK COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities investigated the discovery of a man’s body in the trunk of a car on a vacant lot in Wichita and identified the victim as 39-year-old Kyce Barnes of Wichita, police spokesman Andrew Ford said.

Barnes had a long criminal history. He served time in the Kansas Department of Corrections on drug charges in Cowley County. He was released from prison in 2020. On Monday, police took Barnes to the Sedgwick County Jail, where he was charged with possession of stolen property and drug possession, among other charges, according to jail records. He was released from the Sedgwick County Jail shortly after 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

Wichita police also arrested him in 2022 for theft, violating a restraining order, domestic violence and failure to appear.

Shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle on a vacant lot in the 8200 block of West Irving Street in Wichita, police spokesman Andrew Ford said.

Officers were directed to a white four-door Mercedes and discovered a dead 39-year-old man in the trunk of the vehicle.

The victim was found wrapped in bloodstained bedding and with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body. His remains were taken to the Sedgwick County Coroner's Office for further examination.

During the investigation, detectives identified the Deluxe Motel at 8401 W. Kellogg Drive as the original crime scene. Police have not released the identity of the victim.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Wichita Police Department Homicide Unit at (316) 268-4407. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111.