Police ask for public’s assistance in identifying homicide victim

Kansas City, Kansas, police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a homicide victim on Dec. 11 near North 18th Street and K-5.

According to a police spokesman, a preliminary investigation showed a male victim was placed in a barrel and set on fire.

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the victim. He was described as a Hispanic male, late teens to early 20s, with black hair.

The victim was 5-foot-5, and 120 to 130 pounds, police stated.

On the inside of his right forearm were several words tattooed, “DIOS …” and on the left side of his chest was a heart-shaped design with “5 8 1973” or 1977 above, according to police.

The Major Case Unit of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department is handling the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.