CLAFLIN, Kan. — State and local law enforcement agencies have identified the woman found deceased inside a Barton County garage earlier this week, following a welfare check that led to the arrest of a 60-year-old resident.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), along with the Claflin Police Department and the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed the victim as Tammy Kearns, 58, of Claflin.
Timeline of the Investigation
- Welfare Check Requested: On Tuesday, July 14, officers were dispatched around 7:30 p.m. to a home in the 300 block of East Hamilton Avenue. A family member had alerted police after not hearing from a female resident for over a week.
- Initial Discovery: Officers made contact with a male resident, identified as 60-year-old Barry Kearns. Upon searching inside the home, officers discovered blood and secured the scene.
- Victim Found: Due to the presence of multiple dogs on the property, law enforcement called local animal control to clear the residence safely. During the removal process, officers discovered Tammy Kearns’ body inside the attached garage.
- State Intervention: The Barton County Attorney requested KBI assistance at approximately 8:30 p.m. State agents and the Crime Scene Response Team quickly deployed to the site.
Arrest and Ongoing Inquiry
At approximately 11:45 p.m. on July 14, Claflin police officers arrested Barry Kearns on an initial charge of second-degree murder. He was booked into the Barton County Jail, though formal charges have not yet been filed by the county attorney.
Officials state that the investigation remains ongoing and no additional details are being released at this time.
