A missing woman was found dead inside a vehicle Sunday at a home in the southeast part of Wichita. The victim has been identified as 43-year-old Rachel Johnson.
Late Saturday afternoon, police officers received the report of a missing person under suspicious circumstances. Because of the nature of the case, homicide investigators were assigned later that evening.
Johnson was last seen by family members on Friday morning, driving a black 2014 Ford Fusion.
On Sunday, investigators were directed to a residence in the 1800 block of S. Longford Circle, to the southeast of Harry & Rock Road; there, officers located the car and found Johnson deceased inside the vehicle.
Officers then entered the home and located a 39-year-old man in the basement, dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Preliminary findings indicate Johnson and the man had a prior domestic relationship.
Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan said, "This is a heartbreaking tragedy. A mother has lost her life to a senseless and cowardly act, leaving a family devastated and a community grieving. As we approach October—Domestic Violence Awareness Month—we are reminded that domestic violence continues to impact countless lives, often in silence and behind closed doors. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, call 911 immediately. If it’s not safe to call right away, reach out when you can to trusted local resources such as Harbor House or the Wichita Family Crisis Center."