A Kansas City man has confessed and been charged in the murder of Louise Dickey, who was killed inside her home.
According to a probable cause statement released by the Jackson County prosecutor's office, 26-year-old Cory L. King entered Dickey's home Monday under the influence of Xanax and marijuana.
Police found Louise Dickey dead in her home Tuesday. Cory King has been charged with her murder.
King, who had reportedly frequented Dickey's residence before, asked to stay on her couch while he slept off the effects of the drugs. The pair argued, but King did not leave the residence.
After the argument, King stabbed Dickey multiple times before fleeing the scene in her car. He also stole the contents of her purse, which included cash, prescription medication, a cell phone and a debit card.
A neighbor found Dickey's body the next day, and King was apprehended by police after making several calls from Dickey's phone and unsuccessfully attempting to use her debit card at various convenience stores.
King now faces charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Family members of Dickey met with members of the media on Thursday to discuss the case.
"She never hurt anybody," explained Dickey's daughter, Miranda. "She was open and generous. She will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her."
Dickey's 88-year-old mother also spoke about the pain after hearing the news of her daughter's passing.
"She was so helpful," said mother Vivian Bruner. "If I needed something, she said, 'Well, let's go get it!'"
Sabra Armstrong, a high school friend of Dickey, said she frequently kept in touch with Dickey using Facebook and she last spoke to her on Easter.
"She was the kindest, sweetest person," Armstrong explained. "She would have done anything for you."
Armstrong said she was shocked at the crime and wanted to do see justice against King.
"I'm very angry. I know they've caught the guy. I hope he gets the death penalty," she explained. "I don't think anybody deserves to die that way. It was so evil. I'm a Christian, but I cannot forgive him for what he did."
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at tom.dempsey@kshb.com.
