NEWTON, Kan. (AP) — Police in Newton say 19-year-old Keith Lane Hawkins, suspected in the slayings of his girlfriend and her 4-year-old daughter, has been arrested in Texas. He is being held in the Williamson County jail as a fugitive from justice, for unauthorized use of a vehicle and evading arrest, according to booking records.
Authorities say 24-year-old Alyssa Runyon and daughter Zaylynn Paz were found dead shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday by Runyon’s ex-boyfriend in bedrooms in the victims’ duplex. Police said the girl had been fatally stabbed and that her mother strangled.
Police said the suspect was arrested shortly before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Taylor, Texas, where he allegedly was found driving Runyon’s vehicle when he arrived at a relative’s home.
There was no immediate word about any charges.
Police Chief Eric Murphy said the suspect has been previously arrested and has been known to law enforcers in and around 19,000-resident Newton.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is assisting.
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HARVEY COUNTY -Police in Newton identified the victims of Tuesday’s homicide as 24-year-old Alyssa Runyon and her daughter, 4-year-old Zaylynn Paz. Their bodies were found in bedrooms of a duplex in Roanoke Court, near the 2200 block of Roanoke Lane, after a call to 911 by Ms. Runyon’s ex-boyfriend at about 11 am today.
Police arrested the suspect, 19-year -old Keith Lane Hawkins. He was taken into custody in Taylor, Texas, at about 5:25 pm. The suspect was driving the victim’s vehicle when he arrived at a family member’s residence.
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HARVEY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a reported double murder in Newton.
Just after 11a.m., police responded to a home at Roanoke Court. First responders found a 24-year-old woman and her 4-year-old daughter, according to Newton Police Chief Eric Murphy.
The child had been stabbed to death, according to Murphy. “This is a targeted incident,” he said. “The public is not in danger.”
A suspect has been identified but is not yet in custody. The Harvey County Sheriff’s Department, Kansas Highway Patrol and KBI are participating in the investigation, according to Murphy.
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HARVEY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a reported double murder in Newton.
Police reported on social media they had requested a search warrant to investigate the incident at Roanoke Court Apartments.
A suspect has been identified but is not yet in custody.
Law enforcement are working to locate the the suspect and but they do not believe there is any danger to the public.
More information will be released as it becomes available.