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Linn County, Kansas — A Kansas man is facing murder charges after authorities say his unleashed dogs fatally attacked a 13-year-old neighbor before he allegedly concealed the boy’s death and dumped his body in a remote ravine across state lines.
The case has devastated a small community and left the victim’s family searching for answers months after the tragic incident.
Teen Was Riding Bike to Help a Friend
According to investigators, 13-year-old Airen Andula, a Linn County seventh grader, was riding his bicycle in December 2025 when the deadly attack occurred.
Family members said Airen had volunteered to help a friend by checking on pets while the family was away. The teenager was expected to make a quick trip to feed and care for chickens, dogs and a pet rooster before returning home.
According to relatives, the entire errand should have taken only a few minutes.
Instead, prosecutors allege Airen encountered a pack of unleashed dogs owned by a neighbor, 47-year-old Damon Leonard.
Dogs Allegedly Attacked and Killed Boy
Authorities allege Leonard’s dogs, described as mixed mastiff and pit bull breeds, attacked Airen while he was riding along a gravel path.
Family members told local media the dogs were known in the area for roaming freely. Prosecutors now accuse Leonard of allowing the dangerous animals to remain at large despite the risks they allegedly posed.
The attack reportedly occurred only days before Christmas, turning what should have been a joyful holiday season into an unimaginable tragedy for the Andula family.
Prosecutors Allege Body Was Hidden
According to an arrest affidavit, Leonard allegedly failed to contact emergency services after the attack.
Instead, authorities claim he moved Airen’s body and transported it approximately 30 miles into Missouri. Investigators allege the child’s body was then thrown “down a large ravine in a creek bed.”
The allegations became one of the most disturbing aspects of the case for Airen’s family.
“I … could have overlooked, you know, the dog attack,” Airen’s mother, Jody Andula, told The Kansas City Star. “That’s just a freak accident, but I can’t forgive him for what he did trying to hide my kid from us when we were all looking for him. Playing along like he didn’t know where he was at when he did know — that’s what I can’t accept.”
Volunteer Firefighter Accused of Setting Three Fires in 30 Hours, Then Helping Respond to Them
Multiple Charges Filed Against Suspect
Leonard was previously prosecuted in Missouri for abandoning Airen’s body. Court records show he was convicted of abandonment of a corpse and sentenced to four years in prison.
Now, the Kansas Attorney General’s Office has filed additional charges including:
- Second-degree murder
- Involuntary manslaughter
- Interference with law enforcement
- Criminal desecration by unauthorized control of a dead body
- Permitting a dangerous animal to be at large
The new charges significantly increase the legal consequences Leonard could face if convicted.
Family Struggles to Understand Tragedy
The case continues to leave family members and friends searching for answers. Airen’s best friend’s mother, Ashlyn Clough, said she struggles to understand why authorities were not contacted immediately.
“I mean, as a parent, you can’t imagine another parent doing [that], let alone watching it, and not helping a child,” Clough said. “I don’t know what was going through his head. It just doesn’t make sense why he didn’t call 911. Maybe he panicked and he was scared. But even if you were panicked and were scared, you could have at least called.”
As the criminal case moves forward, Airen’s family continues seeking justice for a boy they describe as kind-hearted and always willing to help others.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking and disturbing case? Share your opinion respectfully in the comments below.
