by Randy Picking ~ Salina Post
UPDATED: 1:40pm Saline County Sheriff Glen Kochanowski says fingerprint comparison has been used to identify the body of a man found in Lincoln County Wednesday evening as that of 37-year-old Jeffrey Powell.
Sheriff Kochanowski says the family of Powell has been notified.
UPDATED: Saline County Sheriff Glen Kochanowski says a body of a man, that could be the victim in a 2nd degree murder case has been located in Lincoln County just outside of the northwest Saline County boundary.
The sheriff says the Kansas Bureau of Investigation contacted the Sheriff’s Office about 7:00 Wednesday evening, and informed them that a body was found and could be that of 37-year-old Jeffrey Powell, who was last seen late July 31st into the early hours of August 1st.
Kochanowski says an autopsy is being conducted in Kansas City and that a positive ID could come as early as Thursday.
29-year-old Kyle Nelson of Salina was arrested on August 2nd on a 2nd murder charge in connection with the disappearance of Powell.
Authorities believe that Powell was killed east of Salina on North Street.
No other details on the case have been released, and all questions concerning the case have been referred to the Saline County Attorney’s office.
Nelson was in the Lincoln County Jail on charges unrelated to the murder case, and was brought back to the Saline County Jail on August 2nd.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, Saline County Sheriffs Office and Salina Police Department continue to investigate and gather evidence in the case.
ORIGINAL 10:11 AM: According to Saline County Sheriff Glen Kochanowski, a body was located at 7PM just northwest of Saline County, in Lincoln County.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is currently working the crime scene.
Authorities had been searching the area in connection with missing Salina man, 37-year-old Jeffrey Powell, who was last seen in the early morning hours of August 1st.
29-year-old Kyle Nelson of Salina was arrested Aug. 2 on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with Powell’s death, and is currently being held in the Saline County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
Kochanowski would not comment on any connection to the missing person case, saying that the investigation is ongoing.
The body was transported to Kansas City for an autopsy and a positive identification could come as early as today.