Man fights extradition for Topeka double murder, kidnapping

Editor’s Note: This story was changed from the original version, removing the suspect’s relationship to the male murder victims, as it is unclear if the men were family. Police will only say, “they’re all related.”

TOPEKA (KSNT) – A man accused of killing two people and kidnapping a 2-year-old child is fighting against being extradited back to Kansas.

Christopher Barnshaw, 32, appeared in an Illinois court on Thursday, July 24 where he contested a return to Topeka to face his double murder and kidnapping charges, court records show. Law enforcement accuses Barnshaw of killing his sister, Ashley Brown, 29, and another man, Sean Thornton, 55, and then kidnapping Brown’s son.

Prosecutors said the murders happened Sunday, July 20 at a home in Topeka’s Oakland neighborhood in the 500 block of Northeast Wabash Avenue. Police said it wasn’t until Tuesday that officers determined the boy was missing.

Shortly after an AMBER Alert was put out, indicating Barnshaw abducted the child, police in Mattoon, IL said they found the suspect driving a stolen car with the child safe in the back seat. The child was returned to his father in Topeka the same day.

Shawnee County prosecutors said Barnshaw is charged with two charges of murder in the first degree, burglary, endangering a child and kidnapping. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said he will seek a governor’s warrant, but it could take several months to bring him back to face charges.

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