A Lansing man pleads guilty to first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of his estranged wife.

The body of Patricia Kruse Hicks, 37, was found in a Leavenworth County pond two days after she disappeared in April 2004. She had filed for divorce and sought an order for protection from her 37-year-old husband, Gary Hicks.

In Leavenworth County District Court, Hicks admitted he had kidnapped the woman from her Olathe home and drowned her in the
pond.

Sentencing was set for July 22.

Hicks faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison, but the plea
agreement means he could face a parole board after 25 years rather
than 50 years under sentencing guidelines.

The couple had three young children.