Double Murder-Suicide

Wichita police report a man killed two people last night and then turned the gun on himself. Police believe 27-year-old Charles Hankerson killed nineteen-year-old Jesus Talavera and Andra Smithhart, a woman in her thirties. He then shot himself in front of the officers.  Police say all three lived in the Commodore apartment building in downtown Wichita.  Captain Randy Landen says a woman called police at 9:40 p-m asking them to check on her boyfriend. Officers found Talavera dead in his bathroom with a fatal gunshot wound.  As investigators laid down crime tape, two bystanders asked them to check on another apartment. Hankerson committed suicide there shortly after authorities broke the lock on the door. A few hours later, crime scene investigators found Smithhart’s body in a closet.  Landen says he believes the three victims knew each other. He says there is no known motive at this time.  The building is at the intersection of Broadway and Elm streets. (WIBW Radio, Topeka Kansas.  September 7, 2006).

Andra (Smithhart) Williams, 38, was murdered in Wichita, Kansas on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2006. Survivors include: daughter, Leandra Smithhart of Newton; mother, Margaret Smithhart; brothers, Mark Smithhart of Whitewater, Bill Smithhart of Marion; sisters, Linda Kingston of Latham, Betty Littrell.  Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 14, 2006 with burial at Greenwood Cemetery, Newton.