Crime

Authorities investigate apparent murder-suicide

Overland Park — Three people died early Friday when a Missouri man shot his estranged wife and another man before turning the gun on himself, authorities said.

Overland Park Police said 30-year-old Kimberly Dawn Lowe was found shot to death about 3:30 a.m. Friday in her car outside her apartment.

Inside the home, police found the bodies of Lowe’s estranged husband, Robert L. Lowe, 45, of Grandview, Mo., and Brian L. Dennis, 38, of Kansas City, Kan. Police identified Dennis as a “close friend” of Kimberly Lowe’s.

Police said evidence at the scene indicated Robert Lowe entered Kimberly Lowe’s home and was waiting there when she and Dennis arrived.

Jim Weaver, a police spokesman, said the shootings appeared to be the result of a “domestic issue.” He didn’t elaborate.

Kimberly Lowe’s 9-year-old daughter witnessed some of what happened, but was not physically harmed. She was interviewed Friday morning and has been released to relatives, Weaver said.

Schools

Police investigate threat against superintendent

Lawrence schools Supt. Randy Weseman showed up in police reports Friday as the victim of a criminal threat.

According to a report, a 47-year-old mother of a student made a threat of physical violence against Weseman on Dec. 18 during a telephone conversation with a secretary at district headquarters, 110 McDonald Drive. Sgt. Mike Pattrick, a police spokesman, said the remark was “a threat of vague violence” but wouldn’t give any more details about the circumstances.

Police forwarded the report to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for possible charges.

Weseman couldn’t be reached for comment Friday.

Environment

City to recycle trees

City trash crews will collect live-cut Christmas trees for recycling on the next three Mondays: Dec. 29, Jan. 5 and Jan. 12.

The trees will be recycled to become homes for area wildlife at the former landfill site north of Lawrence. In the past four years, more than 163 tons have been collected, processed and used as erosion control and wildlife habitat.

To prepare the trees for use by wildlife, all lights, decorations, tinsel, ornaments and tree stands must be removed. The tree may be placed next to regular trash containers for pickup. Residents should set their trees out by 6 a.m. on the collection days.