KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Police have one man in custody but are looking for a second man who they believe killed a third man during a drug deal and then set him on fire to hide the evidence.
James Jackson was found dead inside a car late Saturday night, his body burned beyond recognition. Police on a routine patrol discovered the car burning near Greeley Avenue and Second Street around 11:00 p.m. on Saturday night. When they doused the flames, they found the body inside.
Police arrested and prosecutors charged Adam Smith with first degree murder on Wednesday. They believe Smith and Refeeq Rahman (who also goes by the name Howard Hickman) were trying to get cocaine or collect a debt for cocaine from Jackson at the time of the murder.
Police consider Rahman (Hickman) to be dangerous. His picture is displayed above. If you have any information about his whereabouts, they ask you call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
“I was in the house and I heard something go boom,” said neighbor John Wilson. “So I went on the front porch and when I came outside, I heard something go “pow-pow,” but I didn’t see nothing nor hear nothing. Heard no car take off or nothing. “
Authorities are investigating the case as a homicide. The victim – who was burned beyond recognition – is described as a male between 40 and 60 years of age, and with a full set of upper dentures and partial lower dentures.
The burned-out vehicle is described as a red 2012 Lincoln MKT, which had been registered to AVIS car rental.
Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.