A deceased person’s body which was located in a rural area in Johnson County on Friday, July 29, could be that of a 50-year-old area woman who was reported missing last weekend.

According to a press release, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office detectives and members of the Warrensburg Police Department CRT responded to the 100 block SE Highway 2, just west of Leeton, to conduct a search for Kathy Downs.

Detectives had received information that Downs possibly entered a cornfield on or about July 22. The cornfield consisted of approximately 180 acres.

The Sheriff’s Office contacted chopper pilot Jared Sisk, and he offered to utilize his personal helicopter to assist in searching the cornfield.

During the flight, detectives located the body of a deceased female in the cornfield. The body was recovered and will be transported to the Kansas City Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy and confirmation of identity.

Downs’ next of kin has been notified, and this is an ongoing investigation.

Photo courtesy the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department