The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department has identified the woman found dead in a ditch near Campus High School Sunday. They say 38-year-old Amber Kostner was a victim of homicide. An autopsy is being done to determine how she died.
Investigators arrested Kostner's 41-year-old live-in boyfriend, Anson Bernhardt, on Suspicion of First Degree Murder. They will present the case to the District Attorney for formal charges.
"We feel that we've got enough probable cause that he's our man," said Major Michael Oliver.
Kostner was last seen alive Saturday night. Investigators believe she and the Bernhardt had some kind of argument or fight before her death.
Kostner's body was found by a driver Sunday morning in the 2100 block of west 55th street. Investigators don't believe that's where she died. They're looking at several possible crime scene locations.
Eyewitness News Reporter Brian Heap found court records that show the suspect was arrested in May of this year on aggravated assault charges. He was accused of stabbing a man at bar.
The financial affidavit the suspect filed in May listed Kostner as working at Spears and at INTRUST Bank Arena.
Residents near the area where Kostner's body was found were surprised.
"Bad things happen all the time," said Campus High Senior Breanna Olds. "But, it's so close to home it's kind of scary."
Officers spent most of the Sunday looking for clues in her death.
The road was closed most of the day, while officers searched nearby ditches with the help of K-9 units.
"It's very upsetting when you live in this area and all you know is that a body was found," said Beth Loos, who was riding her horse in the area. "You'd kind of like to know, is there something that we should be aware of?"
Some are worried about their own safety, others about those they know.
"Cause I thought it was a student or maybe a teacher," Olds said about why she came down to the high school after hearing about the discovery. "And I don't want anyone I know to die."
"I mean just about anything can happen anywhere, though," said Larry Zimmerman, who also lives in the area.
No other details about the victim have been released.
