Kansas man convicted of killing girlfriend with ax during fight

TOPEKA, Kan. (TCD) -- A jury has found a 63-year-old man guilty of murder and other charges for killing his girlfriend with an ax in April 2021.

According to WIBW-TV, Jon Ewing was convicted Friday, Feb. 17, of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, criminal threat, and interference with law enforcement for the death of 58-year-old Deborah Stephens.

On April 27, 2021, at 5:30 p.m., deputies from the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office went to the 800 block of SW 57th Street at Coachlight South mobile home park regarding a death investigation and arrested Ewing for involuntary manslaughter. Those charges were upgraded as the investigation continued.

The affidavit cited by WIBW says surveillance video captured Ewing catching Stephens by surprise and approaching her from the back as she leaned into her car. Ewing reportedly grabbed her head and neck and forced her to the ground, where he hit her several times with a "large flashlight."

Stephens reportedly cried out for help, and he moved her into her trailer where he told her, "I will kill you."

As he pushed her into the trailer, he reportedly grabbed an ax and struck her in the head repeatedly.

WIBW reports Stephens and Ewing got into an argument because she accused him of slashing her tires, but he reportedly said he just let the air out and didn’t slash them.

According to the Topeka Capital-Journal, which also cites the affidavit, after killing Stephens, Ewing left the mobile home park, then returned hours and called an off-duty Osage County law enforcement officer, who informed Shawnee County dispatch about the death. Deputies reportedly found Ewing smoking a cigarette on Stephens' bed with her body next to him.

Ewing will be sentenced May 12.

MORE:

• Jury finds Scranton man guilty of ex-girlfriend’s brutal axe murder - WIBW
• Suspicious Death Investigation, 4/27/2021 - Shawnee County Sheriff's Office
• Affidavit describes Coachlight altercation resulting in woman’s death, 5/19/2021 - WIBW
• Deborah Ann Stephens' security video showed Jon Ewing hitting her with an axe, court document says, 5/19/2021 - Topeka Capital-Journal