TOPEKA, Kan. (TCD) — A jury found the 63-year-old man guilty of murder and other charges for killing his girlfriend with an ax in April 2021.
According to WIBW-TV, Jon Ewing was convicted Friday, Feb. 17, of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, felony making and interference with law enforcement in the 58-year-old’s death. Deborah Stephens.
On April 27, 2021, at 5:30 pm, deputies from the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office proceeded to the 800 block of SW 57th Street at the Coachlight South mobile home park for an investigation into the death and arrested Ewing for manslaughter. Those allegations were updated as the investigation continued.
The affidavit cited by WIBW says surveillance video captured Ewing catching Stephens by surprise and approaching her from behind as she leans against her car. Ewing reportedly grabbed her head and neck and forced her to the ground, where she struck her multiple times with a “big flashlight.”
Stephens reportedly screamed for help and moved her to his trailer where he told her, “I’m going to kill you.”
As he pushed her into the trailer, he reportedly grabbed an ax and hit her on the head repeatedly.
WIBW reports that Stephens and Ewing fought because she accused him of slashing her tires, but reportedly said he just let the air out and didn’t cut them.
According to the Topeka Capital-Journal, which also cites the affidavit, after killing Stephens, Ewing left the mobile home park, then returned hours and called an off-duty Osage County law enforcement officer, who notified the Shawnee County Dispatch of the death. Deputies reportedly found Ewing smoking a cigarette on Stephens’ bed with his body beside him.
Ewing will be sentenced on May 12.
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