SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man charged in a rural Kansas murder and captured after a CrimeStopper tip is going to prison.
A jury this week found 32-year-old Saul Valenciana guilty of first-degree murder, burglary and theft in the November 2022 death of 41-year-old Brent Boone, according to the Sedgwick County district attorney's office
Valenciiana's co-defendant Tehya Kay Turner, 19, Haysville, remains jailed on the same charges and will face trial soon.
In November, police were contacted by a 69-year-old man who reported 41-year-old Brent Boone, of Wichita, missing under unusual circumstances.
Boone had last been seen on November 24 at his residence in the 1300 block of N. Pershing in Wichita before leaving in a vehicle with two individuals – identified as Valenciana and Turner.
It is believed that an altercation occurred inside the car, during which Boone was killed, according to Officer Chad Ditch.
On November 30, follow-up investigation led officers to a crime scene in the 9300 block of S. Pattie in Haysville, where they began processing evidence. Police located a suspect vehicle on December 1, near 21st and Ridge, abandoned, according to Ditch.
Further investigation led officers to a rural area Southwest of Clearwater, one mile west of N Clearwater Road and 140th Ave N, where a body was located and it was later confirmed to be Boone.
Police took Turner into custody Dec. 2. On December 15, following a CrimeStoppers tip, police located a vehicle associated with Valenciana and learned he was inside a residence in the 1600 block of S. Parkwood in Wichita.
Police units established a perimeter, made contact with him via phone, and began negotiations for his surrender. Police with the help of a SWAT team eventually took him into custody without incident. His sentencing is scheduled for August 8, according to the district attorney's office.