FINNEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man's death and after asking the public for help with information have made an arrest.
On Tuesday morning, police arrested Christian Benitez, 16, Garden City, on on requested charges of Murder in the 1st degree and Aggravated Robbery, according to Sgt. Lana Urgeaga. He is being held in the Southwest Kansas Juvenile Detention Center.
Just before 11:30 a.m., Sunday, police responded to the Sunflower Inn, 1311 East Fulton in Garden City in reference to a man not breathing, according to Urteaga.
Officers arrived and were taken to room 115 by motel staff. Upon entering the room, officers found 23-year-old Alec Cantu dead on the floor. Cantu had signs of trauma to his body, and it was apparent an altercation took place inside the motel room.
Just before 10a.m. Sunday morning, the Finney County Sheriff’s Office responded to 4100 W. Railroad Ave. for an abandoned vehicle in the Arkansas River. The car was registered to Alec Cantu and had been vandalized.
The case has been turned over to the Finney County Attorney's office.