Monday homicide marks 2017 as record breaking

Jessica Knieff

With 33 days left, 2017 has become Topeka’s most fatal year on record. 

Twenty-nine people have been murdered this year. The previous annual record was 28 and was met in 1994 and 2016 according to a homicide database maintained by the Topeka Capital Journal. 

Topeka’s 28th homicide, the death of Faustino Vasquez, 46, occurred in the early hours of Nov. 27 in the 1200 block of SE Long according to a news release from the Topeka Police Department. 

Later that day, a domestic disturbance was reported at the 1100 block of SW High. The disturbance resulted in the deaths of two individuals who were identified as estranged husband and wife, John Krystofosky, 27,  and Tabitha Krystofosky, 27, in a news release from the Topeka Police Department. The news release reported that while the husband’s injuries were consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot, the wife’s injuries were consistent with homicide. Tabitha Krystofosky then became the victim in Topeka’s 29th homicide case this year.

The Topeka Police Department asks that anyone with information on these or any other crimes call TPD at (785)368-9400. Tips can also be given anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling (785)234-0007 or texting “TOP TIP” to 274637 and may be given a reward of up to $2,000.