In the early morning hours of June 25, 2023, a domestic argument in a northwest Wichita, Kansas home escalated into a tragedy that left a wife dead and her husband, the primary suspect, deceased shortly after. Nicole Dempsey, a 44-year-old female, was found in her residence in the 2700 block of North Parkridge, having suffered a fatal gunshot wound. The events that led to the discovery of her body began with a 911 call from her husband, 47-year-old Thomas Dempsey. He informed the emergency dispatcher that he may have killed his wife during a heated dispute.
Upon their arrival at the scene, law enforcement officers found Nicole Dempsey's body inside the home. As they proceeded to take Thomas Dempsey into custody, he became unresponsive. Despite the immediate administration of medical aid by the officers at the scene, Thomas Dempsey was pronounced dead. The Wichita Police Department initiated a homicide investigation into Nicole Dempsey's death, with her husband as the sole suspect.
The subsequent investigation into Thomas Dempsey's death was handed over to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, a standard procedure for deaths that occur in police custody. An autopsy was performed on Thomas Dempsey to determine the cause of his death. The initial findings were inconclusive, necessitating further toxicological testing. The results of the more detailed autopsy revealed a lethal level of methamphetamine in his system. However, the report also noted that the prone position he was placed in during his arrest could not be ruled out as a contributing factor to his death. While the primary cause of death was listed as methamphetamine toxicity, the medical examiner classified the manner of death as undetermined, acknowledging that the actions of the arresting officers may have played a role. No charges have been filed in connection with either death, and the Wichita Police Department's internal investigation into the in-custody death was ongoing.
