In the quiet landscape of rural Kansas, the life of Matthew Kelly, a 34-year-old White male, came to a violent and tragic end on December 14, 2021. The events leading to his death began to unfold just after midnight when deputies in Cowley County were dispatched to a residence on 302nd Road. A caller had reported a large amount of what appeared to be blood in the front yard and shared information about a possible shooting.
This grim discovery would set in motion an investigation that would uncover a story of familial strife and brutal violence.
Investigators learned that Matthew Kelly had been at the home, which belonged to his sister, Lisa Wise, earlier. He had been staying there for a time, and a recent disagreement had reportedly occurred between the siblings. On the night of the incident, Kelly was allegedly involved in a confrontation with two other men at the residence: 30-year-old Dylan Weaver and 25-year-old Justin Pierce. The confrontation escalated to the point of a shooting, which ultimately led to Kelly's death.
The investigation swiftly moved to locate the individuals involved. A silver F-250 pickup truck belonging to Weaver was found at an address in Winfield, with possible visual evidence on the vehicle, leading to its seizure. Law enforcement then located another vehicle in the western part of Cowley County. Inside this vehicle were Pierce and a 25-year-old woman named Amber Orr. Deputies observed what looked like blood in the back of this truck, and upon obtaining a search warrant, they made the harrowing discovery of Matthew Kelly's deceased body.
Following the investigation, four individuals were arrested in connection with the murder. Justin Pierce and Dylan Weaver faced charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery, conspiracy, criminal use of a weapon, and interference with law enforcement. Lisa Wise, Kelly's sister, was charged with conspiracy and aggravated battery. Amber Orr was charged with obstruction. The tragic death of Matthew Kelly, a man who enjoyed the outdoors and cherished time with his daughter, left a community in shock and a family torn apart by violence.
