Sixth body linked in K.C. killing spree

? Police have linked a body found in July behind a vacant apartment building with five others discovered since Thursday in the same part of the city — three of which police found after receiving anonymous tips from a 911 caller.

At a news conference Sunday, police Capt. Rich Lockhart said three of the victims have been identified, while the other three bodies were decomposed beyond recognition.

The body of 42-year-old Anna Ewing was found July 14 by a man spraying for weeds, he said. Because her body was discovered in the same 18-square-block area as the five found since Thursday, and like the others was found abandoned on or near a vacant property east of downtown Kansas City, police consider Ewing’s death to be related.

“I think for the neighbors in that area, they have reasons to be concerned,” Lockhart said. “Six bodies were dropped in that area in a short period of time. But I don’t think it’s something to cause great panic. They just need to be vigilant.”

The bodies of 45-year-old Patricia Wilson Butler and a 38-year-old woman were found Thursday afternoon in a detached garage after someone notified police of a foul odor coming from the rear of a vacant residence. Lockhart said one of the bodies was badly decomposed, while the other was not in such bad shape and had been there about two days.

Lockhart said police weren’t releasing the name of the 38-year-old until relatives have been notified.

Another body was found Friday behind a vacant house after someone called 911 and told police where to find it. A day later, police believe, the same caller told a 911 operator where to find two more.

All three of the bodies were so decomposed that police haven’t determined their race or sex, Lockhart said.

He said investigators are extremely interested in talking to the person who called 911 and gave the locations of the three bodies.

“Certainly that person has information about the crimes that we’d like to know,” said Lockhart, who declined to say whether the caller is considered a suspect.

He said he doesn’t remember any similar cases since he has lived in the city.

“I’ve been in Kansas City 14 years, and I can’t remember anything on this scale,” he said.