Authorities in Wichita are continuing to investigate after a woman was found deceased Tuesday morning in a southeast city park, prompting an active death investigation and a temporary closure of the area as officials worked to secure and examine the scene.
Officers with the Wichita Police Department were dispatched just after 8:30 a.m. to Cessna Park, in the area near Kincade and Wallace, close to the intersection of Mount Vernon and Woodlawn. The response came after a report of an unresponsive woman in a parking lot section of the park.
When officers arrived, they located the woman, who was already deceased. Investigators said it appeared she had been in the area for an undetermined amount of time before being discovered. Initial information at the scene led authorities to believe the victim was younger, but her identity was not immediately confirmed.
She was later identified as a 47-year-old woman, Julia Felt, following notification of next of kin and standard investigative procedures by authorities.
Preliminary assessments suggest the possibility of a drug overdose, though officials have stressed that this remains only an early determination. The final cause and manner of death will be made by the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner’s Office after a full autopsy and toxicology analysis are completed.
Police have not indicated any immediate signs of foul play, but they emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing and that all possibilities remain under review until the medical examiner’s findings are finalized.
Following the discovery, investigators secured the area of Cessna Park and conducted a detailed examination of the scene. Officials also urged the public to avoid the vicinity temporarily while evidence was collected and follow-up investigative work was carried out.
As the investigation continues, authorities have not released additional details regarding the circumstances leading up to the woman’s death or whether she had been reported missing prior to being found. Detectives are continuing to review available information and are asking anyone who may have relevant details to contact the Wichita Police Department.
The case remains under active investigation as officials await the results of the medical examination, which will provide key insight into what led to the woman’s death in the park.
