LIBERAL, KS- On February 16, 2025, the Liberal Police Department was notified of a suspicious death in Liberal.

On February 16, 2025 a call was made to the Liberal Police Department about an adult male who was flown to St. Francis Hospital in Wichita for severe burns he suffered from an incident on February 15, 2025. The burns suffered by the victim happened at his residence of 213 1/2 S. Clay in Liberal. On February 16, 2025 the victim died due to the burns suffered from the fire. The victim was sent to the Medical Examiner’s office to determine a cause and manner of death.  

During the investigation, the Liberal Police Department identified a person of interest as 60-year-old Mary Gaytan-Soto. Based on the information gathered, Gaytan-Soto was arrested and booked into the Seward County Jail. Official charges are pending through the Seward County Attorney’s Office, as this investigation is ongoing. 

The Liberal Police Department would like to thank the Liberal Fire Department, State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Medical Examiner for their assistance with this investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Investigations Division at 620-626-0141.