The Great Bend Police Department Monday morning identified the 59-year-old victim of a Friday morning homicide in Great Bend, after notifying the family.
The deceased was identified as Teresa Dutton of Great Bend.
Dutton worked at the Central Kansas Dream Center in Great Bend, where she was assistant to the director. She was promoted to that position earlier this year. At the time, Central Kansas Dream Center founder Kimberly Becker said she had moved from being a domestic overseer and volunteer coordinator to the assistant’s director’s position.
She had been a part of the Dream Center for almost seven years and helped faithfully in all aspects of the ministry, Becker said.
At around 7 a.m. Friday, Great Bend police and Great Bend Fire Department crews responded to a fire at 2800 29th St. GBFD crews located Dutton inside the residence and life-saving measures were performed. However, she died at the scene.
During a preliminary investigation, arson was determined to be the cause of the fire. Investigators also determined that Dutton’s death was the result of foul play, the GBPD reported.
Then, at about 7:19 a.m., the GBPD responded to a residence in the 1500 block of Adams Street in reference to an aggravated burglary and battery related to the arson/homicide investigation. The suspect, identified as Lyndsay George of Great Bend, left that area on foot and at approximately 8:12 a.m. was reported to be at Park Elementary School, 1801 Williams St.
Great Bend police officers located George in the 2000 block of 19th Street. After a physical altercation with officers, she was arrested.
After further investigation and interviews were completed, George was transported to the jail and booked.
During the course of the investigation, members of the Police Department, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Barton County Sheriff’s Office, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms obtained and executed search warrants at 2800 29th St. and at the Traveler’s Budget Inn located at 4200 10th St. in Great Bend. During the execution and thorough search of those locations, items of evidence were located and seized.
The investigation is still ongoing. GBPD Chief Steve Haulmark advised the case has been turned over to the Kansas Attorney General’s Office and no further information will be released at this time.
Anyone with any information in reference to this case is urged to contact the GBPD at 620-793-4120 or Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300.
