VIDEO: Murder Charge Requested, More Arrests Expected

A Salina man arrested as a “person of interest” in the disappearance of a Salina woman is facing a murder charge. 24-year-old James Heil, described as a “person of interest” in the disappearance of 27-year-old Kristin Tyler, was taken into custody Wednesday night at a hotel in Abilene and held on an unrelated charges.

According to Salina Police, an additional charge of Intentional and Premeditated 1st Degree Murder is being requested against Heil. He was first booked into jail on charges that include failure to appear and a probation violation. Police say that more arrests in the case are anticipated.

Tyler had been missing since April 25th. Her body was discovered Thursday afternoon on Stimmel Road below Interstate 135. Numerous law enforcement officers had been searching the area, and sheriff deputy on patrol made the discovery.

Police say that the body was not covered up or hidden, and appeared to have been there for some time. Police believe that Tyler was killed on or around April 25th. They believe she was killed in the area where here body was found. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday afternoon to determine an exact cause of death.