Woman from Nevada found dead

By Lynn A. Wade

Nevada Daily Mail

A body found in a trash can Nov. 16 in Kansas City, Mo., turned out to be that of 40-year-old Wanda K. Benenhaley, who's from Nevada.

A 50-year-old Kansas City man, Quelin E. Perciado Jr., has been charged with second-degree murder in the case, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker's office said Sunday.

Police found the Benenhaley's body in a trash can across the street from Perciado's home at 2301 Poplar after a citizen reported it.

A statement of probable cause says a witness told police that Benenhaley was at Perciado's home on the night of Nov. 15, drinking alcohol, and that they saw Perciado strangle and hit Benenhaley. A witness also told police that, believing Benenhaley to be deceased, Perciado placed her body in a trash can, then dragged the trash can across the street.

The Jackson County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homocide, citing strangulation as the cause of death.

Perciado was arrested Sunday evening, and denied any involvement in Benenhaley's death, According to the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office, Perciado made his initial court appearance on Monday. His arraignment is set for 10 a.m., Dec. 17, in a Jackson County court. He is being held on a $250,000 cash bond.