Crime

Kansas City man is sentenced in 2014 murder of woman found in motel bathroom

A Kansas City man has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for the murder of a woman whose body was found two years ago inside a motel room in the 3200 block of Broadway.

Paul W. Simmons, 27, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder in the killing of 49-year-old Brenda E. Anderson on Feb. 1, 2014, according to Jackson County prosecutors.

A motel employee found Anderson in the shower of the motel room after guests reported hearing a woman’s screams, according to court documents. She had been beaten.

Simmons’ business card was found and a surveillance video captured a person who appeared to be him. Fingerprints in the room matched those of Simmons.

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 9:13 PM with the headline "Kansas City man is sentenced in 2014 murder of woman found in motel bathroom."

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