Maize police, K-9s continue search for missing woman

The Maize Police Department is searching for Kendra Leigh Nystrom who went missing four months ago. The question of what happened to her continues to baffle police, but Wednesday, they could be closer to finding an answer.

Nystrom is a 30-year-old woman with reddish-brown hair. She is approximately 5'4" tall and weighs between 100 and 120 pounds. She also has the initials "R.J." tattooed on her left ring finger.

Kendra was last known to have her black and gray male Chihuahua mix named Frankie with her. She left behind her car, cell phone and wallet.

Kendra was last seen leaving her parent's home in the 12000 block of West 29th Street North around 10:30 a.m on May 4.

"We believe she was at her parents,' probably to do laundry that day or to pick up an item, and when she got here, she tripped the alarm on the house and officers responded," Maize police say. "And we think she panicked and went out the back door of the house."

Officers were out near this scene Wednesday, along with a volunteer K-9 group, searching along the Cowskin Creek behind Nystrom's parents' home.

During the search, Eyewitness News crews were walking along with the K-9 and its handlers near the creek when the dog started to focus on one particular area. Police say after searching the area, they didn't find any remains or a body.

"The dogs' noses are so sensitive, they can pick up the slightest amount of odor whether that's a missing living person or missing dead person," a K-9 handler said.

At this time, police say they can't rule anything out regarding Nystrom's disappearance.

Wednesday, investigators also called the fire department to conduct a secondary search of the area.

"Hope for the best and assume or prepare for the worst," police say. "Se we are not leaving any stone unturned."

Nystrom spent the night before her disappearance at a motel on West Kellogg in Wichita and may have frequented motels along west Kellogg and or South Broadway, police say.

If you have any information about Kendra's disappearance or current whereabouts to call 9-1-1 or the Maize Police Department at 316-425-3356.