14-Year-Old Boy Charged With First-Degree Murder of Rubi Perez

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Rubi Perez, a 14-year-old eighth-grade student at Great Bend Middle School in Kansas, according to court records and statements from Barton County Attorney J. Colin Reynolds.

The charge was filed following the discovery of Perez’s body behind a dirt pile west of Holy Family School on the morning of April 9, 2026, after she was reported missing the previous evening. Police confirmed she was found deceased in Veterans Memorial Park, located across from the town cemetery and adjacent to the Holy Family Catholic Parish Center.

Barton County Attorney J. Colin Reynolds announced the charge on Thursday, April 16, 2026, stating that the juvenile suspect faces allegations of first-degree murder in connection with Perez’s death. Online court records indicate the charge was filed on Monday, April 13, 2026, with a detention hearing scheduled for April 21, 2026.

The suspect, identified as a 14-year-old boy and fellow eighth-grade student at Great Bend Middle School, has not been publicly named by media outlets including KAKE News and KWCH due to his age. Both stations confirmed the teen made an initial court appearance following the filing of charges.

Perez’s obituary, shared by Barton County officials and local media, described her as an athlete who excelled in track, volleyball, and basketball, and as someone who consistently spread positivity to peers and teachers. Her tribute highlighted her “sweet demeanor, smile, zest for life, and offering kindness always.”

Following her death, the Great Bend Unified School District 428 activated an enhanced counseling response, deploying a Crisis Response Team to Great Bend Middle School to support students and staff. The district continues to offer both in-person and online resources for those affected by the incident.

A vigil was held on Sunday, April 12, 2026, in the area where Perez’s body was found, drawing community members to mourn her loss. Fundraising efforts have since been organized to assist her family during this time, as reported by local news affiliates.

The case remains under active investigation by the Great Bend Police Department, with authorities declining to disclose further details about the cause of death or potential motive, citing the ongoing nature of the proceedings and the juvenile status of the accused.