LAWRENCE – A 23-year-old Lawrence man was found dead Thursday afternoon in a wooded area in a rural southern Douglas County. An autopsy has confirmed the man is Yelekal Alemu, who Lawrence police had listed as a missing person since May 12, Douglas County Sheriff’s Sgt. Stephen Lewis said. His car was discovered in the area just south of the Wakarusa River and County Road 1057 that same day. However, Lewis said despite an extensive search of the area that lasted days, Douglas County deputies and Lawrence police officers never found him. Lawrence police officers were doing follow-up investigation in the area Thursday afternoon when they discovered the body, he said.
Monday, June 4, 4 p.m.
