May 31, 2023

Police: Kansas man accused of mother's beating death

Posted May 31, 2023 2:00 PM
Joel-photo Sedgwick County
Joel-photo Sedgwick County

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman's beating death and have made an arrest.

Just before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to report of a  clubbing in the area of 5700 E. Central in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders located the victim identified 46-year-old Kacey Joel of Wichita, laying in the back yard of a residence with visible injuries.

Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday afternoon-photo courtesy KWCH
Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday afternoon-photo courtesy KWCH

Officers immediately rendered aid and she was transported to a local area hospital. She sustained significant trauma to her body and later died from her injuries, according to Gupilan.

Eyewitnesses reported that her son, 21-year-old Devin Joel, was seen running from the scene. Officers quickly were able to locate him after a brief foot pursuit. He made comments that he was going to die by suicide by cop and was yielding a knife when officers confronted him.

The officers were able to get him to put the knife down and he was taken into custody without incident. He is being held on requested charges of First-Degree Murder.