Missouri woman charged with murder in death of 93-year-old woman found stabbed, strangled in the shower

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (TCN) -- A 27-year-old woman is behind bars and charged with murder in connection with the death of a 93-year-old woman who was found deceased in her shower. 

According to the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office, Kelisha Reeves was charged with first-degree murder on June 23 following an investigation into the death of Diana Barco, who was killed on June 8 or 9. 

KCDF reports that police were called to Barco’s home on June 9 for a report of a dead body. A caretaker for Barco had arrived at the home earlier and seen her walker outside. The caretaker became concerned and located Barco face-down in her shower. When officers arrived, they found blood on the bathroom floor and in the doorway. Barco was undressed from the waist up and was wrapped in the hose of a handheld showerhead. 

The manner of death was ruled a homicide; Barco had been stabbed in the head and neck and strangled, according to KCDF. An investigation revealed Reeves was the suspect in an arson and property damage incident in the immediate area on June 8.

After the fire, a witness alleged Reeves stated, “If I can’t have a place to live, neither can you.” 

Barco’s family noticed that her credit card was missing from her wallet when they were given access to the house after her death, according to KCDF. Reeves reportedly was found with the credit card on June 13, the day she was arrested for the property damage charge. According to charging documents obtained by Law & Crime, Barco’s name had been scratched off the card and Reeves was allegedly in possession of other items from Barco’s house.

Reeves was behind bars when she was interviewed June 15 in connection with Barco’s death. She claimed Barco saw her sleeping on a bench across the street and authorized her as a user on the card so she could have a safe place to stay, according to Law & Crime.

The investigation revealed a fingerprint from the scene of Barco’s death allegedly matched Reeves, per KCTV. She was charged with first-degree murder on June 23. 

The announcement from the prosecutor’s office reads, “The consequences of this incident are devastating, and we extend our sincerest condolences to the victim’s family and all who knew and loved her.”

Reeves’ bond has been set at $1 million, per the prosecutor’s office. 

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