TPD says homicide victim died weeks ago, asks for help with investigation

Investigators are asking for the public's help with its investigation into the 'suspicious death' of a John K. Waller earlier this month.

They are treating the investigation into the 36-year-old Topeka man's death as a homicide. Anyone with information about it is asked to contact TPD's Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400 or Shawnee Co. Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007.

On Monday, officers found his body inside a home in the 700 block of SW Wayne Ave., near Children's Park. They reportedly noticed "several suspicious circumstances" that led them to bring in detectives and crime scene investigators.

Particularly, investigators are asking anyone in the vicinity of SW 6th Ave. and SW MacVicar Ave. on Monday, June 3, or Tuesday, June 4 - approximately two weeks before Waller's body was found - to reach out to investigators if they remember seeing or anything suspicious.

A Topeka Police spokesperson told 13 NEWS investigators believe he was killed around that time.

Additionally, people with a home surveillance system or cameras to go back over them. Police say even the smallest detail could make a big difference towards getting whoever did this off the streets and bringing justice to the victims family.

TPD also notes that Shawnee Co. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case.

Anonymous tips can be made online at

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