Authorities: Man whose body was found in Clay County had killed researchers in fire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - According to the authorities, a man whose body was found in Clay County following a murder-suicide was responsible for the deaths of two researchers at the beginning of October.

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office shared the news on Thursday afternoon.

A KCPD investigation determined that on or about Oct. 1, Kevin Ray Moore caused the deaths of Stowers Institute researchers Camila Behrensen and Pablo Guzman-Palma by way of an intentionally set fire in the area of 41st & Oak on Oct 1.

“Due to the efforts of KCPD and, in particular, the Crime Lab, KCPD used phone and computer data, surveillance videos, ballistic testing as well as DNA tests to determine the cause of the deaths of Behrensen and Guzman-Palma and to determine that Moore was the suspect,” the prosecutor’s office said.

Moore, 42, is now deceased.

According to the authorities, Moore died as part of a murder-suicide on Oct. 16. His body and the body of his victim -- Misty Brockman -- were subsequently found in the woods in Clay County just west of Worlds of Fun. That investigation is ongoing.

“The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office applauds the efforts of Kansas City Police Department detectives and the KCPD Crime Lab in solving the double homicide,” the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office said.

“This office also expresses its deep condolences to the families of the victims, Camila Behrensen and Pablo Guzman-Palma, as well as to their colleagues and friends at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research,” the prosecutor’s office added.

In response to today’s news, the Stowers Institute community released the following statement:

“The Stowers Institute and the Graduate School at the Stowers Institute are grieving the loss of two brilliant, promising scientists. Our thoughts are with their families during this time. The Institute has been cooperating with law enforcement and learned that the crime has been solved.
We thank the Kansas City Police Department for their dedication and the office of the Jackson County prosecutor for its oversight of this investigation. The individual who committed this crime has no tie to the Institute or the Graduate School.
We are saddened to learn that this same individual is involved in an additional case out of Clay County. We thank the authorities who investigated this incident as well. Our deepest sympathies go out to those who knew the victim.
To honor the accomplishments and ambitions for a better world of the two dedicated scientists we have tragically lost, all of us at the Institute rededicate ourselves to the scientific mission entrusted to us by our founders.”
Stowers Institute for Medical Research

Previous coverage:

‘She was a firecracker:’ Loved ones remember woman found dead in Kansas City

Police identify 2 found dead in Northland woods, medical examiner makes preliminary ruling

Community shaken up after 2 bodies are found in woods near Worlds of Fun

Police report two bodies found in woods, deaths investigated as suspicious

Police ask for home surveillance footage in killing of Stowers Institute researchers

KCPD still investigating apartment fire after 2 were found dead Saturday

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