Police identify 16th Topeka homicide victim in 2024 as 58-year-old man

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Topeka Police have identified the 16th victim of a 2024 homicide.

Peter J. Blancas, 58, of Topeka, was found dead Wednesday morning at a home in the 500 block of NE Gordon Street in the Little Russia neighborhood on the city’s North Side, officials said Friday morning.

The The homicide was reported around 9:15 a.m. Wednesday after Topeka Fire Department crews responded to what was initially described as a “medical call” at a residence in the 500 block of NE Gordon Street.

As of 11:30 a.m. Friday, no arrests had been reported.

Police officials said on Friday morning that the investigation into the murder is ongoing.

Crews were dispatched around 9:15 a.m. Wednesday to a home on NE Gordon for what was initially reported as a “medical call.”

Topeka Fire and Paramedics responded to the home where they found the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Due to the nature of the incident, officials said, firefighters asked police investigators to respond.

Meanwhile, a year ago, Topeka recorded 33 homicides through Oct. 30, 2023, when the capital set a record with 35 homicides.

Additional details were not available.

Blanka’s death was initially listed by police as the city’s 15th homicide of the year.

However, Blanka’s death was later identified as Topeka’s 16th homicide of 2024.

The city’s 15th homicide of 2024 was reported Sunday evening, Oct. 6, at a home at 1640 SW Buchanan St. where a fire occurred.

Topeka Police officials told 13 NEWS Thursday that the victim of the Oct. 6 homicide on SW Buchanan Street has not yet been identified.

Check it out wibw.com later for more information as it becomes available.