In the quiet city of Wichita, Kansas, a tragedy unfolded that cut short the life of 8-year-old Natayla Sorell. On March 28, 2020, young Natayla and her 24-year-old mother, Mickayla Sorell, were found deceased in their home in the 4500 block of South Walnut. The discovery was made after Mickayla failed to show up for work, prompting a welfare check by concerned colleagues. When police arrived, they found both mother and daughter had been fatally shot.
The grim discovery marked the city's 13th and 14th homicides of the year.
The investigation quickly focused on a person of interest, 25-year-old Daniel Lopez. Lopez was identified as Mickayla's boyfriend and Natayla's father. Authorities believed the shootings had occurred on the night of Saturday, March 28th. Following the discovery of the bodies, a search for Lopez was initiated, and he was considered armed and dangerous.
The search for Daniel Lopez concluded on April 10, 2020, when he was arrested and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. He faced charges of capital murder with more than one victim, criminal possession of a firearm, and aggravated assault. Court records connected to a probation violation alleged that Lopez had killed both his girlfriend and their daughter two days before their bodies were found. Further allegations emerged that on the day of the murders, Lopez had forced someone to drive him around at gunpoint. His bond for the murder charge was set at $1 million.
