Man charged with killing 72-year-old woman, cat, bird in Olathe home

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A 40-year-old Olathe man has been charged with first-degree murder after a 72-year-old woman was found dead in a home Saturday evening.

According to court documents filed Tuesday, Brian Christopher Thode is facing three counts of criminal charges -- one count of first-degree murder and two counts of cruelty to animals.

Count I said that Thode "unlawfully, feloniously, intentionally and with premeditation" killed Nancy Thode on Saturday, June 29 at the 1000 block of East Oakview Street.

Initial reports from the Olathe Police Department said that Thode was a "relative" to the woman and that she faced "significant injuries." Nancy was found just before 6 p.m. Saturday and pronounced dead at the scene.

Counts II and III are based on animal cruelty charges. According to court documents, "unlawfully, knowingly, maliciously and feloniously" killed a cat and a bird in the home.

Thode is being held on a $3 million bond and is set to have his first court appearance today at 1:30 p.m. in a Johnson County District Court.