UPDATE: Body of missing Parsons man located and two arrested
NEOSHO COUNTY _ The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, and the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office located the body of missing 23-year-old Dakota A. Patton, and arrested two subjects connected to his death.
On Monday, May 8 around 11:40 a.m., deputies from the Labette County Sheriff’s Office and the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office were searching an area northeast of Parsons in rural Neosho County. They discovered Patton’s remains in a field near 20th Road and Xavier Road.
The KBI’s Crime Scene Response Team responded to the area. They collected evidence and determined Patton died from an apparent gunshot wound.
Arrest warrants for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder were secured for Clint W. Nibarger, 32, of Parsons, and Kimberly J. Thomas, 47, of Parsons.
At approximately 6 p.m. on Monday, Thomas was observed leaving a residence in Hollister, Missouri when she was arrested by the Taney County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies from the Taney County Sheriff’s Office then arrested Nibarger at the same residence at around 6:30 p.m.
Nibarger and Thomas were booked into the Taney County Jail.
The investigation is ongoing. Nothing further will be released.
LABETTE COUNTY _ The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Labette County
Sheriff’s Office continue their search for Dakota A. Patton, the 23-year-old man who was last
seen the evening of April 25, in Parsons, Kansas. Foul play is suspected in Patton’s
disappearance.
The Labette County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance on April 27, after Patton’s
vehicle was located abandoned in a field in rural Labette County. Patton was also reported
missing on April 27.
Patton is a white male. He is 5 ft. 11 in. tall and weighs around 230 lbs. He has brown hair, blue
eyes, and facial hair. Patton was likely wearing blue jeans, a grey sweatshirt and boots.
KBI agents believe Patton may have last been in an area along the Neosho River _ between 20th
Rd. and Wallace Rd., and 60th Rd. and Wallace Rd. Investigators ask fisherman, hunters,
farmers, and hikers who frequent this area to report anything suspicious they encounter that may
be connected to Patton’s disappearance.
If you have any information about the disappearance of Dakota Patton, please contact the KBI
at 1-800-KS-CRIME, or the Labette County Sheriff’s Office at 620-795-2565. Anonymous tips
can be made online at https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.
The investigation is ongoing.SPECIAL
STATE
Two subjects arrested and fentanyl seized in Pittsburg
CRAWFORD COUNTY – The Joint Fentanyl Impact Team (JFIT), made up of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), and Homeland Security Investigations, along with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburg Police Department,... [More]
UPDATE: Investigation of letters with suspicious white powder
UPDATE: Investigation of letters with suspicious white powder ... [More]
SPECIAL: Kansas Housing Resources Corporation Launches Statewide Art Contest
K-12 students invited to share vision of home in celebration of KHRC's 20th anniversary, National Homeownership Month TOPEKA – Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) launched a statewide art contest... [More]
More State
- Several subjects arrested after search warrant in Independence
- Death investigation in Galena
- Governor Kelly announces qualifying families can now apply for $1000 per student for Learning Recovery
- SILVER ALERT CANCELED: Missing Anthony woman located safe
- KDA announces Specialty Crop Grant Opportunity
- AG Kris Kobach joins coalition to uphold federal law against encouraging illegal immigration
- Treasurer Steven Johnson marks National Unclaimed Property Day
- Governor Kelly announces January total tax collections exceed estimate by $56.2 million
NEWS
Early Dismissals
Due to the threat of severe weather this afternoon, all three districts have opted to dismiss school at 1 p.m. in an effort to get students safely home before the storms hit our area. If you have concerns, or need more information, please contact your child's school.
SPECIAL: Youthfront application not a Public Hearing
NOTICE: Case #: US-KS107-LU-2025-7, Youthfront Camp DBA Kansas City Youth for Christ is not being heard under a Public Hearing. That has already occurred; the commissioners are discussing the application in their meeting Monday, April 20.
We want your photos…
Would you like to see one of your photos in the paper? We’re starting a new weekly photo submission opportunity! Out on the gravel will feature a local photo each week in our paper taken somewhere in Linn County; a photo of something that interested someone enough to... [More]
More News
- 1st Annual Richard Henderson Memorial Car Show Saturday
- Parker City Council discusses storm water issue
- USD 344 accepts principal resignation
- Commissioners approve Purple Heart Day proclamation
- Linn Valley City Council discusses water, sewer townhall
- Pleasanton approves water plant roof bidding, backup water supply study
- Commissioners reviewing resolution on vicious dogs
- Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center takes steps to preserve local behavioral health services
COMMUNITY
Senior’s three‑year project becomes massive Blu-Jay centerpiece
When students walk into the school now, the first thing they see is a towering Blu‑Jay sculpture; bold, bright and impossible to ignore. What most don’t realize is that it began as a simple sophomore‑year art assignment back in 2023. For senior Gage McGinnis, it became... [More]
Community fundraiser to support Honor Flight trip for local veteran
MOUND CITY — April 25, 2026 4-6pm The community is invited to come together on Saturday, April 25 for a special evening of music, fellowship and giving in support of a local veteran’s upcoming Honor Flight trip. Clay Nichols has been selected to participate... [More]
A blink into the past: April 15 edition
There’s history all around us that we forget about until it’s too late. This may be a small county but there’s history in it all. Here’s your blink into the past. 1986- Baker’s food: ● 99 cents for chips ● 99 cents for four rolls of toilet... [More]
More Community
- Conley earns Radenburg Scholarship
- Ray Scholarship recipients determined by USD 344 BOE
- PES holds Battle of the Books competition
- Easter in Linn County
- The American Revolution: The importance of the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party
- Chapter CV P.E.O.
- Busy Workers excel at 4-H Presentation Day
- First Aid: your safety toolkit

