At a Glance
- Autopsy finds Airen Andula, 13, died from “multiple dog bite injuries”
- Damon Leonard, 47, charged in Kansas and Missouri
- Boy disappeared while biking to feed pets; body found 30 miles away
- Why it matters: Case spans two states, raising questions about vicious-animal oversight and cross-border justice
A 13-year-old Kansas boy who vanished while doing a neighbor a favor was killed by dog bites, authorities confirmed Monday, and the man now facing charges in both Kansas and Missouri is allegedly the same person who tipped off police.
Autopsy Confirms Cause
The Wyandotte County Coroner’s Office ruled Airen Andula of Pleasanton, Kan., died from “multiple dog bite injuries,” Kansas City police said in a Jan. 5 release. The finding ends weeks of uncertainty for a family that last saw him the morning of Dec. 21 when he left on his bike to feed a neighbor’s pets.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec. 21 | Andula leaves home to feed pets, never returns |
| Dec. 23 | Body found in Bates County, Mo., creek bed; Leonard calls sheriff |
| Jan. 5 | Cause of death released publicly |
Leonard allegedly told the Bates County Sheriff’s Office he knew where the missing boy was and that he was dead, according to the probable-cause affidavit. Investigators say he admitted driving the child’s body from Kansas to Missouri and leaving it in the creek before heading home.
Two-State Charges
Kansas charges (Linn County)
- Interference with law enforcement
- Criminal desecration
- Vicious dog at large
Missouri charge (Bates County)
- Abandonment of a corpse; bond set at $100,000 cash-only
Leonard pleaded not guilty in Bates County Circuit Court on Dec. 23; no plea has been entered for the Kansas counts and it is unclear if he has retained counsel.
Anita Gunn, Andula’s mother, told local reporters the family is living through “a big nightmare.”
> “It’s unbelievable and we’re still not wanting to believe it’s real, but we know it is,” she said.
Key Takeaways
- Autopsy confirms dog bites as sole cause of death
- Suspect faces parallel charges in Kansas and Missouri
- Case highlights jurisdictional complexity when crimes cross state lines
With Leonard held on a six-figure bond and court proceedings advancing in both states, investigators continue piecing together how a routine favor turned fatal.
