Woman's Body Found Behind Hotel, Police Ask Public's Assistance

Save

Photojournalist: Blake Kresge
Posted: 6:38 PM Oct 12, 2008
Last Updated: 8:30 AM Oct 15, 2008
Reporter: Amanda Lanum
Email Address: amanda.lanum@wibw.com

12 comments

Map

A | A | A

MANHATTAN, Kan. - On October 12th at approximately 7:20 am, the Riley County Police Department received a 911 call from the Quality Inn at 150 East Poyntz.

The caller indicated that the body of a female was lying behind the hotel
at the southwest corner.

Officers from the Riley County Police Department responded to the scene and found an unidentified, deceased female at that location.

The Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office was also notified, and a joint investigation is being conducted in this matter.

Cause of death at this time is unknown, but foul play is suspected.

The victim is described as a white female possibly being Hispanic in origin, 17 to 24 years of age, approximately 5'1" tall with a medium build, and dark hair.

The law enforcement agencies involved with this investigation are looking for the public's help in identifying the victim. Anyone with possible information about this incident should call the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office at 785-457-3353, the Riley County Police Department at 785-537-2112, or Crime Stoppers at 785-539-7777.

The Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office and the Riley County Police
Department will hold a joint press conference at the Riley County Law
Enforcement Center Monday, October 13th, at 10:00 am. Check 13 News for the latest developments on the story.

More Stories
Lawrence Man In Wheelchair Sells Hotdogs

Spirit Of Kansas Recap

Kansas Weatherman Looks Back On Long Career

Hot Dog Vendor A Fixture In Lawrence

Area Celebrates Fourth Of July With Parades And Church Service

Explosive Devices Found In KCK House With Body

Suspect Arrested In Double Homicide In Wichita

4-Year-Old NW Kansas Boy Dies In Forklift Accident

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 3, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Do we want a person who is capable of this to get back out in society? It is the lawenfocments job (the prosecuting attoreney in this case)to make sure he doesn't ever get out!

Posted by: ????? Location: Topeka on Oct 15, 2008 at 01:40 AM
This is so sad. Im 22yrs old with a 3 1/2yr old child. My prayers and thoughts go out to her family and friends. When I heard about this the only thing I could do is cry bcuz it weakens my heart to know that there are sick ppl out here in the world no matter where you go. And alot of teens are takin their life for granted its nothing to play around with. Get to know your friends before you become in too deep with them. I didnt even know of her, and it makes me cry so much. This could have been a friend of mine, and Im happy that they have found a possible killer bring him to justice. But my prayers goes out to her family. RIP

Posted by: wendy on Oct 14, 2008 at 06:44 PM
WIBW what is wrong with you! I defended your putting up her postmortum picture for a quick identity.... But TODAY you have beautiful pictures of this young lady and you choose to put up the postmortum picture. THAT IS JUST WRONG!!! Think of her family and friends!

Posted by: jamie Location: manhattan on Oct 14, 2008 at 01:22 AM
what is wrong with you people? you sit there arguing whether or not her photo should have been shown. did you even know her? she was an amazing person. YES! her photo should have been shown to help identify her. maybe if people realize the gravity of the situation they will be quicker to help. and dont say that your children dont need to see these things. there are worse things on tv nowadays. how dare you people say they were wrong to show her photo. how would you feel if that was your friend or loved one. alheli was an amazing person and friend and whoever has done this needs to be brought to justice in the cruelest way possible. she had her entire life ahead of her but now its been cut short. you people should be ashamed of yourselves.

Posted by: April on Oct 13, 2008 at 06:22 AM
Due to showing her picture she has been identified and her family and friends can now deal with their loss adn she spends less times as an unknown. Those who knew and loved her would not have wanted that.

Posted by: Lucinda Location: Topeka on Oct 13, 2008 at 04:02 AM
Unfortunately, death is a part of life and most of us will see it sooner or later. If this were my loved one I would want a quick identification, no matter what it takes. I agree with the police, in this case. Where I fault the news sometimes is in showing people half dressed while being put into ambulances. They are not able to defend their right to privacy and showing them helps nobody. Only where identification is needed should a sick or dead person be shown on the news. She is so young. It's heartbreaking. I hope her family doesn't find out in this way. Still, I would want them to make this effort if it were my child.

Posted by: Christopher Location: Manhattan on Oct 13, 2008 at 01:59 AM
I agree with Liz on both counts. It is a neccessity in this case to show the photo to bring some closure for the family and to aprehend those responsible. Photos of Carol's friend and neighbor were not appropriate. An apology from the station is not required in this case but certainly apropos to Carol.

Posted by: Kris Location: Topeka on Oct 13, 2008 at 01:00 AM
How can you set there, claim to be a funeral director and talk about how disturbing this photo and death are. Death just happens to be apart of life. Please tell which funeral home you work for, I want to make sure my family, friends and I avoid it. Granted, death is disturbing, but if she was my friend or relative I would want to find her. What is so disturbing about her photo anyway, she looks asleep, there are no wounds. May God bless her soul and her family.

Posted by: Newsupporter Location: Kansas on Oct 13, 2008 at 12:46 AM
Carol...get a grip of yourself....It is called a reach out for help with no identification

Posted by: Jennie Location: Ogden, KS on Oct 13, 2008 at 12:17 AM
You both have to understand that in order for the police TO identify this victim, knowing nothing about her, or her family, friends, etc, they have no other photos to go on. There was no mention of a driver's liscense photo or any other identifiable pieces of evidence found at the scene. And yes you are correct, the sooner they can identify her, the better off the investigation and family will be. If that were my child, I would personally be greatful that atleast a photo was released of her to help identify her killer. I commend these officers for their duty, and hard work, and I am thankful that we do have men like that who are able to go out on a limb and do their jobs to keep us safe. I personally like this station, because they don't sugar coat everything, they show it how it is, how the real world operates. Thank you.

Posted by: Liz Location: Manhattan, KS on Oct 12, 2008 at 11:20 PM
I think that the necessity to identify this individual outweighs the concern of showing her deceased picture on the news. An actual photo will provide a much more accurate look of the individual, and will also allow whoever knows the victim to identify her in a more timely manner. The faster she can be identified, the faster the police can then start putting the pieces together about what happened and who did this to her. Each second is precious, and if I were the family, I would want to do whatever necessary (including showing her photograph) to quickly find the answers. I do not agree with unnecessary photos of victims being shown, but I believe in this case it is necessary.

Posted by: Carol Location: Tecumseh on Oct 12, 2008 at 10:20 PM
I feel as a dedicated WIBW viewer that this television station really needs to evaluate their ethics when it comes to sharing the news. Especially, that of a death. This is the 2nd time in less than 6 months that a live view of a deceased person has been shown on TV. It doesn't matter that those broadcasting the news have announced that what we are about to view "may be disturbing". In the past, sketches of the deceased have been shared to identify a body. In addition, when shooting video, I don't think we needed to see the boot of a deceased friend (Aaron Nottestad) killed in a motorcycle accident either. We were not only neighbors but friends of his as well and my children, 10 and 14 didn't need to see him lying on the pavement. During such a tragic event, please respect the dignity of the deceased, their family and friends. Signed, a Funeral Director

We agree that it is a disturbing image. Authorities were adamant we show the picture to help them find out who the woman is and, hopefully, who killed her. We apologize for anyone who is offended by the photo.