Body found near Elmira Thursday has been identified as Carol A. Thomas
, Richmond News Staff
11-09-2009
Authorities have found the body of Carol A. Thomas. Meanwhile, three suspects in her death face kidnapping charges.Authorities Thursday found 23-year-old Carol A. Thomas’ body in a ravine one mile south of Caldwell County near Elmira, said Excelsior Springs Police Lt. Clint Reno Friday morning. Witnesses said three people jumped and assaulted Thomas Wednesday night in Excelsior Springs, then shovedher into a car trunk and sped off. Police believe two apparent gunshot wounds killed Thomas, Reno said.
A Pontiac Grand Am belonging to one of the three suspects – which one cannot yet be determined, Reno said – was found outside Lawson Thursday morning, torched from the inside out and containing no human remains.
Jennifer L. Saling, 21, of Holt; Erik R. Zimmerman, 29, of Excelsior Springs; and James P. Reardon, 23, will face one kidnapping count apiece in Clay County. Excelsior Springs police held a fourth “person of interest” overnight who Reno said Thursday “has a lot of information for us.”
Police arrested the three suspects Thursday afternoon at a residence along Route PP in Clinton County, also taking the person of interest into custody. The person of interest has been released from custody and faces no charges at this time.
“At this point, we are not looking for any further suspects,” Reno told The Kansas City Star on Thursday. “We believe we have them all in custody.”
Police say Thomas had disappeared around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday evening, with the burned-out car turning up around 2 a.m. Thursday, near a cemetery at the intersection of routes D and C east of Lawson. Police located the body a few miles from the car’s site.
Reno said the homicide and burning of the vehicle likely happened in Ray County. The Ray County Prosecutor’s office said they are gathering information and could not comment at press time on additional charges.
Photo:From left: Excelsior Springs police Lt. Clint Reno, Lt. Jeff Kimsey and Ray County Undersheriff Garry Bush answer questions yesterday during a press conference on the west side of Hall of Waters in Excelsior Springs. (Photo by Skyla McKown/Excelsior Springs Standard)
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