KANSAS CITY, Mo. — New details in the murder of a 14-year-old south Kansas City girl are giving her family hope police will soon make an arrest.
Detectives began investigating the homicide of Alexis Kane more than a week ago, when someone found the girl’s body near The Bay Water Park on Longview Road in Kansas City, Mo.
Alexis’ aunt, Shanaya Kane, said this past week has been tough.
“Not being able to wake up and see her, see that beautiful smile and those dimples she loved to flash, that’s been the toughest part of it all,” she said.
But she said her family’s hope is renewed when they hear police are making progress.
“I’ve been told that there were some leads,” Shanaya said. “I just fall to my knees and pray that they’ll continue to get the leads that they need to get this person off the street.”
Shanaya said she’s heard several stories about how her niece disappeared, including one version where Alexis was talking to a guy on Facebook, then left her friends to meet him at a nearby gas station.
“That’s what I was told,” she said.
She said other accounts of that night suggest the girl didn’t know her abductor.
Whatever happened, the girl’s family is certain of one thing: “Whoever did it is a coward because you did something and then you went into hiding,” Shanaya said.
To push through, Alexis’ family is getting support from the community.
“We have been victimized by homicide here in Kansas City too long,” said Rosilyn Temple, executive director of anti-violence group Kansas City Mothers in Charge. “They’re getting younger and younger. Enough is enough.”
Together they’re praying for justice and asking someone to come forward.
“The Alexis I know, the Alexis that the world knows, knows she could’ve done no harm to deserve to lose her life,” Shanaya said.
So far the reward money for information leading to an arrest in this case is $4,500. If you know anything, call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.
