For Immediate Release
Dec. 17, 2020
A Jackson County judge on Wednesday found Kevin O. Hurley guilty of Murder 2nd degree in connection with the fatal beating in December 2015 of Brandy K. Castaneda, 42, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
The judge convicted Hurley of Murder 2nd Degree. The defendant will be sentenced at a future data after a sentencing assessment report is completed.
According to court records, the victim's sister told Kansas City police in late December 2015 that Brandy K. Castaneda was missing. She reported seeing her last on Dec. 5, 2015. On Jan. 8, 2016, Kansas City police responded to the 4900 block of Brooklyn Avenue on a reported dead body. They found the victim's body inside a black trash bag. She was identified as Brandy K. Helbock, the missing sister. The Jackson County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma. A DNA sample taken from the victim's left ankle matched to the defendant, who had served a prison sentence and was now on parole for murder. The defendant denied knowing the victim. Further testing showed that DNA from a rope around the victim's hips matched the defendant. The profiled determined it was his DNA or someone in his paternal linage.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Jennifer Tatum and Lauren Barrett prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.
For more information, contact:
Michael Mansur
Director of Communication
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor
Work : (816) 881-3812
Mobile: (816) 674-3954
mmansur@jacksongov.org
http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com
*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.