Man charged with murder of 72-year-old Olathe woman

OLATHE, Kan. (KCTV) – Prosecutors on Tuesday charged a 40-year-old man in connection with the death of a woman in north Olathe.

Shortly before 6 p.m. on June 29, Olathe police officers responded to a home in the 1000 block of East Oakview Street.

When they arrived, officers found the 72-year-old woman unconscious and suffering from “serious” injuries. Emergency services pronounced her dead at the scene.

The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office charged Brian Christopher Thode with first-degree murder and two counts of cruelty to animals.

The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office charged Brian Christopher Thode with first-degree murder and two counts of cruelty to animals.(Johnson County Detention Center)

The charging document said Brian Thode also “unlawfully, knowingly, maliciously and criminally” killed a cat and a bird.

Bail was set at $3 million, according to online court records.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Olathe Police Department at (913) 971-6363 or the TIPS Line at (816) 474-8477.

READ ALSO: Police looking for suspect in Lawrence bank robbery