Jul 01, 2020

Police: Kansas woman's death not homicide

Posted Jul 01, 2020 7:09 PM
Savannah Schneider -photo Wichita Police
Savannah Schneider -photo Wichita Police

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities investigating the disappearance and death of a 23-year-old Kansas woman say it was not a homicide.

Investigators have determined that Savannah Schneider who was last seen at her home in the 10300 block of West Alamo in Wichita on May 31, used a Lyft to travel to the address on South Meridian south of Haysville near where search crews found her body, according to Wichita Police Captain Jason Stephens

On that same evening, through phone records and additional information, investigators learned that she walked approximately 3 miles around that property in the dark for approximately 2 hours. Her sight disability would have made it difficult to find her way in the dark. The autopsy didn't find any tramatic injury to her body, according to Stephens. 

In addition, at the location where searchers found her body, there was no indication of any type of assault and she still had her personal belongings with her. That rules out homicide in this case, according to Stephens.

Officials are still waiting on toxicology tests results. 

Shalan Gannon -photo KBI
Shalan Gannon -photo KBI

Stephens also confirmed that Schneider's death and that of 27-year-old Shalan Gannon, whose body was recovered from the Ninnescah River on June 7 in Sumner County are not related. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is still working to determine circumstances in Gannon's murder.

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WICHITA —Police have identified the body found south of Haysville on Saturday as 23-year-old Savannah Schneider of Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.  

Search crews and law enforcement on the scene near Haysville on Saturday- photo courtesy KWCH
Search crews and law enforcement on the scene near Haysville on Saturday- photo courtesy KWCH

Schneider's body was found by citizens who formed a search group to look for her.

Investigators are currently working with the Regional Forensic Science Center to determine the circumstances of her death.

Schneider was last seen on Sunday, May 31, at her home in the 10300 block of West Alamo in Wichita.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to please call detectives at 316-268-4407, See Something Say Something hotline at 316-519-2282, or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.