KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A man who killed his wife and left her to be found by a child will spend the rest of his life in prison.
A Jackson County judge Friday sentenced Benjamin Byers, 46, of Kansas City, Missouri, to life in prison for the stabbing murder of Melissa Byers, 47, in their home in 2017.
A jury convicted Byers last month of murder, armed criminal action and endangering the welfare of a child.
A child found the body in the basement of the house in the 2400 block of College Avenue, according to court documents.
The child told an elementary school counselor about her find and police were sent to the house.
Investigators found blood throughout the house, according to a court document.
The body was in the basement of the house, with a piece of carpet, plastic, sheets and clothing.
Detectives asked the child if she told Byers what she saw in the basement.
Court documents state the child said, "No, I didn't want to be next.''
