For Immediate Release

July 13, 2023

A Jackson County jury late Thursday convicted Michael Hendricks and Maggie Ybarra in the murder of Kensie Aubry, whose body was recovered from a Grain Valley, MO, property, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced tonight.

Hendricks waived sentencing Thursday night, after the jury's verdict. He will be sentenced at a formal sentencing later. But his Murder in the 1st Degree conviction has a mandatory sentence of life without parole. Ybarra will be sentenced at 9 a.m. Friday. The jury convicted her of Murder in the 2nd Degree and other felonies.

In Aug. 2021, a Jackson County grand jury indicted Hendricks, dob: 9/20/1980, and Ybarra, dob: 10/7/1990, on charges of Murder 1st Degree, Harassment 1st Degree and Sexual Misconduct 1st Degree. The indictment also charged defendant Hendricks with the additional charges of Enticement of a Child and Child Molestation 3rd Degree. Defendant Ybarra, dob: 10/7/1990, was additionally charged with Enticement of a Child, Sexual Misconduct 1st Degree, a misdemeanor count of Tampering With Physical Evidence and three counts of Tampering With A Victim.

At the time of the indictment, Prosecutor Baker  praised the child victim in the case who came forward as a witness. On Thursday evening, following the jury's verdict, Baker stated: "I am grateful for a brave child who came forward to tell law enforcement what occurred, who endured, who testified, and who can only be described as an unmitigated hero."

For more information, contact:

 Michael Mansur
Director of Communication
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor
Work : (816) 881-3812
Mobile : (816) 674-3954
www.jacksoncounyprosecutor.com
mmansur@jacksongov.org