Salem-News.com (Jun-07-2007 04:44)

Police Find Missing Kansas Teen's Body, Suspect Arrested

Salem-News.com

Police found Smith's body in a wooded area near Grandview, Mo., about 20 miles east of the Target store.

(OVERLAND PARK, KS) - A suspect was arrested Wednesday evening in the slaying of a teenage Kansas girl believed abducted from the parking lot of an Overland Park Target store.

Edwin R. Hall, 26, is expected to be charged this morning with premeditated first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping, Overland Park Police Chief John Douglass said.

Kelsey Smith, 18, had been missing since Saturday night, when she went to a Target store to buy a gift for her boyfriend.

Surveillance video showed her being forced into her car, and the car drove off. It was found in a nearby mall parking lot about two hours later.

Douglass said Hall was picked up and questioned after police received a tip. He said he had no information why Smith was targeted, or if Hall was believed to have acted alone.

Police said Hall's vehicle matched the description of a dark mid-1970s Chevrolet pickup that was seen entering the Target parking lot shortly after Smith's car.

Police found Smith's body in a wooded area near Grandview, Mo., about 20 miles east of the Target store. Authorities did not say how she died.

Police Find Missing Kansas Teen's Body, Suspect Arrested

Salem-News.com