The quiet Holiday Lakes community near Pleasanton, Kansas, is enveloped in profound grief this Christmas Eve after the heartbreaking confirmation that 13-year-old Airen Andula has been found deceased. What began as a desperate search for a missing boy—who vanished while performing a simple act of kindness—ended in unimaginable tragedy when his body was discovered in a remote ravine across the state line in Bates County, Missouri. A neighbor, 47-year-old Damon Leonard, is now in custody, charged with abandonment of a corpse after allegedly confessing to transporting Airen’s remains and dumping them in a creek bed. Airen’s devastated mother, Anita Gunn, believes her son was mauled to death by dogs, a horrific detail that has amplified the community’s anguish. As families gather for the holidays, Airen’s loved ones face an empty chair at the table, a void that no words can fill. This is the story of a gentle boy whose life was cut short far too soon, a frantic search that united strangers, and the lingering questions that haunt a tight-knit rural town.
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A Kind-Hearted Boy Full of Promise
Airen Andula was the epitome of a sweet, responsible child. At 13, he stood 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing about 130 pounds, with a smile that lit up those around him. A student at Pleasanton USD 344, Airen was known for his gentle nature—he was never in trouble, always stayed close to home, and helped without being asked. His mother, Anita Gunn, affectionately called him “Mama’s Little Princess” because of his tender spirit. “He was such a good boy,” Gunn told reporters through tears. “He wasn’t the rough boy.” Airen had two younger sisters whom he adored, and he was the kind of kid who stepped up to help others.
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Living in the serene Holiday Lakes neighborhood in Linn County—a rural area dotted with lakes and modest homes—Airen enjoyed the simple joys of small-town life. He often rode his red mountain bike around the community, dressed in everyday clothes like a red hoodie and black jeans. Friends and family describe him as dependable, the type of boy who would volunteer to care for animals without hesitation.
A Routine Act of Kindness Turns Fatal
Sunday, December 21, 2025, started like any other winter morning. Around 8 a.m., Airen hopped on his red mountain bike and headed to a friend’s family home nearby to let out their dogs and chickens while they were out of town—a small favor he was happy to do. It was the last time anyone saw him alive.
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By evening, when Airen didn’t return, alarm bells rang. His parents, Anita Gunn and Charles Andula, knew something was terribly wrong. “Airen was never in trouble, he didn’t go far from home, he never left without telling us,” Gunn later said. At 6:20 p.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office received the missing person report and immediately mobilized.
The sheriff’s office released Airen’s description and photo, noting he might have headed toward Pleasanton. Social media posts spread rapidly, with community pages and missing persons alerts pleading for information. Neighbors, friends, and strangers shared the alert, hoping for a quick, safe resolution.
The Desperate Search Across State Lines
The search kicked into high gear that night. Linn County deputies, joined by the Pleasanton Police Department, Linn County Rural Fire, Anderson County Fire, Kansas Highway Patrol, Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, and even the Bates County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri, scoured the area. They combed wooded terrains, bodies of water, outbuildings, and homes until around 2 a.m. Monday, when efforts paused for safety due to treacherous conditions.
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Resuming at dawn on December 22, the multi-agency team pressed on. The community held its breath—vigils formed, prayers circulated online, and families kept porch lights on in solidarity. Pleasanton USD 344 opened counseling services, acknowledging the impact on classmates.
Then, the devastating turn: An assisting agency informed Linn County that a body had been located. The search transitioned to recovery. Airen’s remains were found at the bottom of a large ravine in a creek bed in remote Bates County, Missouri—just across the state line.
A Neighbor’s Chilling Confession
The breakthrough came unexpectedly. On Monday, 47-year-old Damon Leonard, a resident of Pleasanton, Kansas, who lives within walking distance of Airen’s home, called Bates County authorities. He told them Airen was dead and revealed the body’s location.
When deputies arrived at Leonard’s property, he allegedly confessed to transporting Airen’s body from Kansas to the Missouri ravine and abandoning it there. A search warrant confirmed his account. Investigators reportedly found nearly a dozen dogs on Leonard’s property, fueling speculation about the circumstances of Airen’s death.
Leonard was arrested and charged in Bates County with felony abandonment of a corpse. He is held on a $100,000 cash-only bond, with a court date set for January 15, 2026. Authorities anticipate additional charges in Kansas as the investigation continues, led by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department with assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s crime scene team.
Airen’s mother, Anita Gunn, shared a harrowing belief with reporters: Her son was mauled by dogs. “He was attacked and killed by an unknown number of dogs,” she said, struggling to comprehend how a trusted neighbor could be involved in concealing the tragedy. Gunn expressed shock that someone she knew played a role in the aftermath. Official cause of death remains pending autopsy results from the coroner’s office, but the possibility of a brutal animal attack has deepened the horror.
A Community in Mourning
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office issued a somber statement: “It is with profound sadness that we confirm a juvenile previously reported missing has been found deceased. Our hearts go out to the family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. Our community is mourning this heartbreaking loss, and we respectfully ask that the family’s privacy be honored as they grieve.”
Pleasanton schools provided immediate counseling, recognizing the ripple effect on students and staff. Social media overflowed with tributes: “Rest in peace, sweet boy,” “Prayers for Airen’s family,” and calls for justice. The timing—days before Christmas—made the loss even more poignant. “It’s Christmas time. He’s never coming home,” Gunn said, her voice breaking.
Neighbors described the Holiday Lakes area as safe and close-knit, making the tragedy all the more shocking. “This doesn’t happen here,” one resident told local media. Yet the involvement of a local man has shaken trust, with questions swirling about what led to Airen’s death and why his body was moved.
Unanswered Questions and a Path Forward
As investigators piece together the timeline, key details remain unclear. How did Airen end up at or near Leonard’s property while helping with animals? Was the alleged dog attack at Leonard’s home? Why move the body across state lines? The medical examiner’s report will be crucial, but for now, the family grapples with raw grief.
Anita Gunn and Charles Andula remember their son as a “sweet boy” with a kind spirit, a brother who brought joy to his sisters. “There are no words big enough for a loss like this,” echoed community posts. Airen should have been growing, dreaming, laughing—surrounded by love.
The first responders and volunteers who searched tirelessly deserve immense gratitude. In the darkest hours, they showed compassion and dedication that mattered profoundly.
As Christmas arrives shadowed by sorrow, the community wraps its arms around Airen’s family. Vigils, fundraisers for funeral expenses, and messages of support pour in. Airen mattered. He is remembered—not just as a victim of tragedy, but as a boy whose kindness touched lives.
Rest peacefully, Airen Andula. Your light, though extinguished too soon, will not be forgotten.
