Olathe man charged with murder after 72-year-old woman, two animals found dead Saturday

Johnson County prosecutors charged an Olathe man with murder after a 72-year-old woman and two animals were found dead Saturday.

Brian Christopher Thode, 40, was charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of animal cruelty, all felony charges, according to Johnson County District Court documents.

Prosecutors allege that Brian Thode killed Nancy E. Thode, as well as a pet cat and a bird.

Olathe police responded Saturday around 5:53 p.m. to a home in the 1000 block of East Oakview Street, where they found Nancy Thode unresponsive with “significant injuries, said Sgt. John Moncayo, a spokesman for the police department. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Moncayo said police took a 40-year-old male relative into custody and placed him on a 48-hour investigative hold.

The killing was the second homicide in Olathe this year, according to data tracked by The Star.

Brian Thode is being held on a $3 million bond. His first court appearance was Tuesday.