Introduction to the Case

In December 2020, the small community of Ulysses, Kansas, was shaken by the disappearance of 35-year-old Alexander "AJ" Perez. Family members reported him missing to the Ulysses Police Department on December 14, 2020, sparking an investigation that would span several years and involve multiple law enforcement agencies.

Initial Investigation and Suspicions

Following the missing person report, local authorities commenced a search for Perez. As days turned into weeks without any sign of him, concerns grew. By January 12, 2021, the Grant County Sheriff's Office sought assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) after suspicions of foul play emerged in Perez's disappearance. Investigators believed that Perez had been killed on or around December 6, 2020, in Finney County, intensifying the urgency of the case.

Arrest of Oscar Corrales

A significant breakthrough occurred on December 27, 2023, when KBI agents and the Finney County Sheriff's Office arrested 44-year-old Oscar Corrales of Garden City. Corrales was charged with second-degree murder in connection with Perez's death. At the time of his arrest, Corrales was already incarcerated at the Finney County Jail on unrelated charges. In addition to the murder charge, he faced allegations of racketeering, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and theft. These additional charges stemmed from investigations conducted by the Garden City Police Department and the Finney County Sheriff's Office.

Community Impact and Response

The arrest brought a mix of relief and sorrow to the Ulysses community. While residents were grateful for progress in the case, the confirmation of Perez's death was a devastating blow. Community members held vigils and offered support to Perez's family, emphasizing the close-knit nature of the town and the collective grief experienced....Read More