Arrest, identification made in southeast Kansas skeletal remains investigation

WILSON COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Neodesha Police Department, and the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office positively identified the man whose skeletal remains were found in rural Wilson County, and have made an arrest connected to the case.

The victim was identified as Levi Ellis, 39, of Neodesha. An autopsy was conducted on his remains.

KBI agents, with assistance from officers with the Neodesha Police Department, developed a suspect in the case. An arrest warrant was issued for first-degree murder connected to the death of Levi Ellis.

On Oct. 1, around 1 p.m., officers from the Broken Arrow Police Department in Oklahoma arrested Joseph D. Ferraro, 56, of Neodesha, at the Clarion Hotel at 2600 N. Aspen Ave. in Broken Arrow.

He was booked into the Tulsa County Jail in Tulsa. Extradition will be pursued. The investigation is ongoing.