Kansas man pleads guilty to 2023 murder of missing Parsons resident

KSNF/KODE — A southeast Kansas man waived his right to a jury trial today (10/15), pleading guilty in the April 2023 shooting death of a young Parsons man reported missing .

PREVIOUS: Missing Kansas man found dead – two suspects in custody

Clint Nibarger, 34, agreed to plead guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit second-degree murder in exchange for a recommended sentence of 24 years.

Dakota Patton, 23, was last seen in April 2023.

Her body was found in a rural area of ​​Neosho County about two weeks later.

Nibarger was initially charged with first-degree murder along with his wife Kimberly Nibarger, 47.

PREVIOUS: Charges filed in Parsons murder case

According to the plea agreement, Clint Nibarger said he understood he could potentially be sentenced to at least 24 years in prison. The judge ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for December.

Investigators say the Nibargers got married on April 26 of last year — apparently with the mistaken idea that it would prevent them from testifying against each other.

Police found Dakota Patton’s vehicle two days after she disappeared in a field in rural Labette County with its front tires slashed. They said it appears someone towed the vehicle to where it was found.

PREVIOUS: Parsons couple accused of murder appear in court for first time

Patton’s body was found in a rural field in Neosho County on May 8, 2023.

Investigators say Patton died from a gunshot wound.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For breaking news, weather, sports and streaming videos, visit KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.