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Reward fund grows to $15,000 in Tonganoxie woman’s murder

By Jesse Truesdale - | Jun 28, 2006

Ameristar Casino in Kansas City, Mo., announced last week it was adding $1,000 to reward money being offered for information leading to the arrest of Robin Bell’s killer.

Bell, who lived in Tonganoxie at the time of her death, was murdered last November at the Dollar General store she managed in Bonner Springs, 612 S. 130th St. The casino’s contribution brings the total reward money to $15,000, with $10,000 coming from Dollar General, $1,000 from Crime Stoppers and the remainder from Bell’s friends and family.

Bell’s husband, Don, has worked as a security guard at the casino since last July.

Bell originally had asked general manager David Albright for a donation of items for a fundraiser Bell held on May 21. The casino donated both to the reward fund and the fund-raising event.

Roxanne Kinkade, public relations manager for the casino, said the idea stemmed from an employee forum session.

“We have a forum called ‘ask day,’ where team members can ask the general manager questions. He (Bell) asked if we could donate items for the fundraiser. So our general manager David Albright, said, let’s donate money, as well.”

Kinkade said the casino also donated 10 boxes worth of items, such as T-shirts, to the fundraiser, which was held at the American Legion Post 199 in Kansas City, Kan. That event brought in $3,000.

“There’s people who told me they didn’t even know who we were,” Bell said Tuesday. “They just heard about it and wanted to come and help. That was kind of nice. We did a lot better than we thought it was going to.”

How to help

¢ Anyone with information on the murder of Tonganoxie resident Robin Bell is asked to call Bonner Springs police, (913) 422-2169.

¢ Bell was beaten to death last November at the Dollar General store she managed in Bonner Springs.

Bell, who said he didn’t have any other fundraisers planned, talks with police officers about once a week to check on progress in his wife’s case.

“They tell me they’re still following leads,” he said. “In my opinion, the longer it takes, the harder it’s going to be.”

During the seven months since his wife’s death, Bell has made weekly visits to his wife’s grave in Tonganoxie’s Maple Grove Cemetery. And earlier this month — on June 6, which would have been Robin Bell’s 45th birthday — he took balloons to the cemetery.

“It ain’t been easy,” he said. “I’ve got good friends and family for support and to talk to.”

Bonner Springs police Lt. Rick Schubert said there have been no developments in the case since May, when the FBI released a profile of the killer.

“We have some leads we’re working on,” he said, adding he couldn’t elaborate.

The FBI profile suggested the murderer was someone who has had extra, unexplained money since the murder, an increased level of stress or anxiety, and who has disposed of or had a vehicle detailed.