LEE'S SUMMIT, MO (KCTV) - Two teenagers have been arrested in the brutal stabbing death of a 43-year-old Lees Summit woman.
This comes after police released Hy-Vee surveillance video on Tuesday of the 13- and 14-year-old suspects. Officers received several tips as a result and arrested the two boys Wednesday morning.
Charges were filed Wednesday afternoon in Jackson County Family Court. The two are charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and first-degree tampering.
Because the suspects are teenagers, their identities arent being released.
Prosecutors are seeking to have them certified as adults to face felony state charges rather than felony juvenile charges.
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said its too soon for her to talk specifically about the murder, but she has talked to the victims family.
"In this moment I don't have an explanation for them. I keep asking them to be patient, if possible, to be patient when you're in agony and grief, when you simply can't comprehend what happened to your loved one," she said.
The victim has been identified as Tanya L. Chamberlain, 43. Police are saying that Chamberlain had no connection to the two teens.
"We are just as shocked as the community that something like this would happen in Lee's Summit," said Officer Beth Glover of the Lee's Summit Police Department.
The discovery of the victim's body came after Lee's Summit police attempted to stop a vehicle about 1:15 a.m. Sunday. The officer believed the driver was intoxicated. The driver of the vehicle pulled into a parking lot of an apartment complex in the 500 block of Southeast Second Street.
Two males then fled on foot from the vehicle. The officer engaged in a short foot pursuit before losing sight of both suspects.
As the officer returned to the suspect vehicle, he discovered Chamberlain's body in the passenger seat. After working the case overnight, investigators determined Chamberlain had been murdered.
Glover said authorities initially had thought the suspects were in their late teens after viewing the surveillance video.
"To actually find out they were 13 and 14 was a shock," Glover said.
Those who live in the area are traumatized by the crime.
"To be here and be so close," said Linda Jefferson. "It is devastating."
Officers conducted a search of the surrounding areas using K-9 teams from both the Lee's Summit Police Department as well as the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
"Our Investigations Division is confident all involved parties are in custody. Detectives worked tirelessly around the clock over the last several days and they sincerely hope their efforts will help bring some resolution to Tanya Chamberlains family," the police department posted on their Facebook page. "The Lees Summit Police Department would like to thank the numerous community members who provided information that led to the quick apprehension of both suspects."
Chamberlains mother asked for privacy.
The teenagers suspected of killing Chamberlain do not yet have a court date set.