For Immediate Release

July 13, 2023

A Jackson County jury late Thursday convicted Michael Hendricks and Maggie Ybarra in the murder of Kensie Aubry, whose body was recovered from a Grain Valley, MO, property, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced tonight.

Hendricks waived sentencing Thursday night, after the jury's verdict. He will be sentenced at a formal sentencing later. But his Murder in the 1st Degree conviction has a mandatory sentence of life without parole. Ybarra will be sentenced at 9 a.m. Friday. The jury convicted her of Murder in the 2nd Degree and other felonies.

In Aug. 2021, a Jackson County grand jury indicted Hendricks, dob: 9/20/1980, and Ybarra, dob: 10/7/1990, on charges of Murder 1st Degree, Harassment 1st Degree and Sexual Misconduct 1st Degree. The indictment also charged defendant Hendricks with the additional charges of Enticement of a Child and Child Molestation 3rd Degree. Defendant Ybarra, dob: 10/7/1990, was additionally charged with Enticement of a Child, Sexual Misconduct 1st Degree, a misdemeanor count of Tampering With Physical Evidence and three counts of Tampering With A Victim.

At the time of the indictment, Prosecutor Baker  praised the child victim in the case who came forward as a witness. On Thursday evening, following the jury's verdict, Baker stated: "I am grateful for a brave child who came forward to tell law enforcement what occurred, who endured, who testified, and who can only be described as an unmitigated hero."

Assistant Jackson County prosecutors Kristiane Bryant, Danielle Sediqzad and Ryan Miller 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
www.jacksoncounyprosecutor.com
mmansur@jacksongov.org