LENEXA, Kan. (KCTV) – On Monday, 53-year-old Todd Donovan of Lenexa made his first court appearance after killing his wife, son and neighbor’s dog between Friday and Saturday.

It all started just before 8.30pm on Friday at Hallet Street and Mullen Road.

Lenexa Police were called to an armed disturbance.

When police arrived, they heard several gunshots coming from the area of ​​the home.

They spoke to Donovan on the phone, trying to get him to come out quietly.

After talking to Donovan for almost two hours, he hung up.

Around 1:50 a.m., the Lenexa Tactical Squad entered the home and took Donovan into custody.

He was taken to the hospital for a possible overdose and has since been sent to jail.

Police found two people dead inside, Donovan’s wife, Sheila, 52, and their son, Tyler, 22.

It was learned that the neighbor’s dog had been shot and killed when the initial call came in.

Donovan is charged with two counts of first-degree intentional and premeditated murder and one count of animal cruelty.

On Monday, he made his first appearance by Zoom in Johnson County Court.

Donovan listened carefully to Judge Smith as he explained the next steps in the case.

Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said this is the start of a long legal process.

“To have a double homicide at a residence, you can clearly tell from the complaint that this is a domestic violence type of case, it’s very rare that you have those situations,” Howe said.

Many still wonder why this happened. All that’s left after Friday night into Saturday is a truck in the driveway and bullet holes through the front door.

Lenexa police told KCTV5 the last call they had to Donovan’s home was in 2013. It was for a dispute with a building contractor. Police said no crime was committed at the time.

Regarding the case, District Attorney Steve Howe said it could lead to the death penalty in the future, but it’s too early to make that decision.

“Two people’s lives were taken, that makes this eligible for a capital murder case and it’s something we don’t take lightly and it’s something that will take a considerable amount of time to work through with the Department of Lenexa Police before starting. ultimately make that decision,” Howe said.

In court, the Kansas Death Penalty Defense asked to meet with Donovan about their work.

“Obviously, very different from other cases,” said Kansas Death Penalty Defense Unit Senior Assistant Capital Defender Kelson Bohnet.

They are part of the state’s public defense system, but only for specific cases. They went to meet Donovan after court.

His bond is set at $2 million.

Donovan returns to court on November 13 for his preliminary hearing.

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