On an autumn day in Mound Valley, Kansas, the quiet community was unsettled by a grim discovery. On October 3, 2022, 39-year-old Jason M. Bakken, a White / Caucasian male, was found deceased in his home. A friend, concerned after not hearing from him, had gone to check on him at his residence located at 693 16000 Road. It was there that the tragic scene was uncovered.
Upon entering the home, the friend discovered the bodies of Jason Bakken and a woman, later identified as 43-year-old
Leanda R. Pound, also of Mound Valley. Deputies from the Labette County Sheriff's Office were called to the scene around 8:30 a.m. and found that both individuals had been deceased for some time. The initial circumstances of their deaths were deemed suspicious, prompting an immediate investigation.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation was brought in to assist the Labette County Sheriff's Office in unraveling the case. Autopsies later confirmed the tragic nature of their deaths: both Jason Bakken and Leanda Pound had died from gunshot wounds. Their deaths were officially ruled as homicides. Investigators believe the murders may have occurred up to a month before their bodies were discovered.
Despite an exhaustive investigation that included numerous interviews and the execution of multiple search warrants, the case has grown cold. As of now, there have been no arrests made in connection with the murders of Jason Bakken and Leanda Pound, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The investigation remains active and ongoing. In an effort to generate new leads, the Governor of Kansas has issued an executive order offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this tragic double homicide. Authorities continue to appeal to the public for any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, that could help bring justice for Jason Bakken and Leanda Pound.
