I’m learning more about the man accused of killing Mariana Christian, a woman who I shared with you that went missing this past month. Her body was found in an east Wichita park this week.
Kyle Bearden, 31, was arrested for a first-degree murder charge in the death of Christian, 30, Wichita Police shared.
WHAT HAPPENED
Around 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 21, a friend of Christian filed a missing person report after she went to pick her up. “The friend said Ms. Christian had a history of mental health challenges and often relied on them for transportation to work,” WPD shares. “That morning, Christian was not at her home in the 1200 block of S. Paige when the friend arrived to pick her up.”
At the residence, the friend met an unidentified man, Kyle Bearden, who said he didn’t know where Christian was. He said she had left the apartment on Friday, July 18, in a truck with an unknown man and woman and hadn’t returned. “He also expressed concern for her safety,” WPD shares. “Although not listed on the lease, the man appeared to be living in the apartment.”
“WPD investigators identified Bearden as a person of interest,” WPD said. They followed leads to locate her, and they did find evidence in her death. It’s believed Bearden shot Ms. Christian. Investigators processed Christian’s apartment and found evidence of foul play.
At some point, her remains were left in Cottonwood Park near Armor and Bayley. They were discovered on Tuesday, July 22, and on the 31st, the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center positively identified the remains as Christian.
SUSPECT’S CRIMINAL HISTORY
Bearden was arrested on July 30 and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. He has been formally charged with premeditated first-degree murder. Kyle does have a history with violence. I’ve pulled New Mexico court records, and he was charged with aggravated assault and with felon in possession with a firearm, Albuquerque Police share with me. Last November, Bearden was in a vehicle, and asked to move it from a parking lot or it would be towed. Bearden said he was not going to move it because it couldn’t run. The other man said he could help push it off the property, but they argued. Bearden pointed a gun at the guy. A gun was found in his vehicle with more than 50 live rounds and 2 pistol magazines.
“This is a tragic case, and I extend my deepest condolences to Mariana Christian’s family and friends,” said Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan. “From the patrol officer who initially responded, our investigators, recruits, and mounted unit, Kansas Bureau of Investigations, our department united to find answers. Their collective efforts resulted in the suspect’s arrest and, ultimately, provided some closure regarding Mariana’s disappearance.”
This remains an active investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wichita Police Department at (316) 268-4407 or you can submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111.
Her family has put together a GoFundMe to help with end-of-life expenses. I’ve been speaking to her loved ones, and this has been a very difficult experience to navigate. If you’d like to support them, you can do so by clicking here.
Case# 25C131181