LAWRENCE — The Douglas County Sheriff’s office said it’s investigating Thursday morning’s discovery of a body along the Upper River Road west of Lecompton as a homicide. Douglas County Sgt. Steve Lewis said a firearm may have been involved with the death of the man. The victim has been identified as Corey Brown of Topeka, Lewis said. Douglas County Sheriff’s detectives are actively working with the Topeka Police Department in the investigation.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the 39-year-old Brown is the son of the developer and owner of the Hudson Crossing Shopping Center in east Topeka. Over the last year, the Topeka police have been investigating a series of crimes connected to Hudson Crossing, including murder of a liquor store clerk, multiple shootings of two convenience store clerks, and a car that was set on fire. The car was owned by a Hudson Crossing store manager. The newspaper reports John Brown, the father of the man found in Douglas County, has dismissed claims of organized crime in connection with the incidents.
Monday, Jan. 9, 4 p.m.; updated Jan. 10, 3 p.m.
