The Emporia Police Department Investigations Division is leading the inquiry into an apparent homicide discovered Sunday morning.
Capt. Lisa Hayes says officers were dispatched to a report of an unconscious person at an unspecified central Emporia address around 7 am. Around 12 hours later, officers arrested Alexei Perez Ricardo, age 36 of Emporia, and booked him on suspicion of first-degree murder, battery and criminal carrying a weapon. Formal charges are pending.
Officers are still working to determine what led up to the apparent homicide. Release of the victim’s name is awaiting notifications for next of kin and other details are being developed.
Hayes says there does not appear to be any danger to the public as the investigation continues. Hayes also asks residents with information about this case to call the Lyon County Emergency Communications non-emergency number at 620-343-4225 or utilize Lyon County Crime Stoppers, either by calling 620-342-2273, using the P3Tips mobile app or by going to p3tips.com.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates as the investigation continues.
Perez Ricardo had pleaded no contest to criminal damage to property in January in a case where he had been originally charged with attempted aggravated residential burglary and criminal damage after an incident in August 2024. He was sentenced to time served. He had also pleaded no contest in two separate battery cases from 2023.
