The Wichita Police Department has identified the woman found dead in the trunk of a car as Zaiylah Bronson, a 19-year-old former Wichita State student.
Bronson was found after WPD was dispatched to the 3900 block of E. 17th Street N. and the 7600 block of E. 21st Street N. after a North Carolina 911 operator called 911 in Wichita to report a possible homicide in the area.
Upon arrival at the 21st Street address, officers made contact with 22-year-old Alexander Lewis and located Bronson in the trunk of his car. Although life-saving efforts were made, the victim was pronounced dead by EMS around noon, according to WPD spokesperson Juan Rebolledo.
A GoFundMe has been set up to cover the funeral and burial expenses for Bronson’s family.
Lewis was arrested on second-degree murder charges and, according to the Sedgwick County Inmate Search, was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on Saturday, around 9 p.m.
If you or someone you know may be experiencing domestic abuse, the WPD encourages you to reach out to one of the resources provided here. Wichita State’s domestic violence resources are listed here.
*This story originally stated that Bronson was a WSU student during the fall 2023 semester. Bronson hadn’t been enrolled since spring 2022. This story has been updated to reflect the correct information.
