The events that unfolded inside a quiet home in Wichita, Kansas, began not with chaos, but with trust. It was a place where a mother believed she was safe, where a lifetime of care and sacrifice had been given freely. That sense of safety would be shattered in a matter of hours, leaving behind a crime so disturbing that it would haunt investigators, family members, and an entire community long after the case reached the courtroom.
Kacy Joel was 46 years old, a mother who had spent years raising her children, navigating life’s difficulties with determination and love. Those who knew her described her as caring and resilient, someone who never stopped worrying about her family. On May 30, 2023, she was inside her own home when the person she trusted most became the source of unimaginable terror.
Her son, Devin Joel, was 24 years old. In the months leading up to that day, family members later told investigators that Devin had been struggling. They noticed changes in his behavior—anger that seemed to come from nowhere, moments of confusion, and troubling statements that suggested he was battling internal turmoil. Despite growing concerns, no one could have imagined the outcome that would follow.
That afternoon, authorities received a 911 call that would immediately alarm dispatchers. The caller was Devin himself. His voice was calm, unsettlingly controlled, as he told the operator that he was attacking his mother. As the call continued, dispatchers could hear Kacy in the background, crying and pleading. The contrast between her fear and his tone painted a chilling picture of what was happening in real time.
Throughout the call, Devin repeatedly told his mother to stay down. He made statements indicating she was still alive, then later claimed she could no longer move or breathe. The dispatcher, trained to manage emergencies, worked desperately to gather information while urging Devin to stop and wait for help. But the situation was already spiraling beyond control.
At one point during the call, Devin warned that he was armed and threatened to confront police when they arrived. This escalation transformed the situation into not only a medical emergency but a dangerous law enforcement response. Officers rushed to the area, knowing they were dealing with an active and unpredictable threat.
After the attack, Devin fled the home. Still holding a weapon, he forced his way into a nearby residence. The occupants, startled and terrified, later told police that he announced himself as a killer before abruptly leaving. His behavior was erratic, detached from reality, and deeply disturbing to those who crossed his path.
He then entered a local business while still armed, causing alarm but leaving without further confrontation. By this point, multiple calls were coming in, and police were actively searching the area. Officers soon spotted Devin running nearby and took him into custody without further violence.
When officers spoke with Devin after his arrest, they noted his demeanor. He appeared calm, even relaxed, showing little outward emotion about what had just occurred. He admitted to attacking his mother and told police the blood on him was not his own. Officers later reported that his lack of visible distress stood in stark contrast to the gravity of his actions.
Meanwhile, officers returned to Kacy Joel’s home. What they found confirmed the worst fears raised by the 911 call. Kacy was discovered outside, critically injured. Emergency medical teams transported her to a hospital, where doctors worked tirelessly to save her life. Despite their efforts, the injuries were too severe, and she later died.
As investigators processed the scene, they uncovered evidence that added another deeply troubling layer to the case. Police determined that Devin had used his phone during and after the attack. He recorded videos of himself while his mother lay gravely injured nearby. There was no audio, but the visuals alone told a disturbing story of detachment and cruelty.
Even more shocking, Devin contacted his sister through a video call after the attack. According to investigators, he asked if she wanted to see their mother. When she agreed, he turned the camera toward Kacy, showing her injured and unresponsive. The sister later described the moment as something she could never erase from her mind.
Investigators also learned that Devin had posted a video using his mother’s social media account, further amplifying the trauma inflicted not only on his immediate family but on anyone who saw it before it was removed. These actions would later become critical evidence in court, illustrating the prolonged and deliberate nature of the violence.
As the case moved through the legal system, prosecutors painted a clear picture. This was not a sudden loss of control or a momentary outburst. They argued that Devin’s actions showed sustained violence, awareness, and intent, compounded by psychological terror inflicted while the victim was still alive.
Family members were left grappling with grief layered upon trauma. Devin’s sister spoke at sentencing, describing the lasting emotional damage caused by his actions. She spoke of sleepless nights, of imagining her mother’s fear, and of the unbearable pain of knowing that the person responsible was someone their mother had loved and raised.
She told the court that her mother had trusted her son completely. That trust, she said, made the betrayal even more devastating. The memory of her mother’s final moments would forever be tied to confusion, heartbreak, and terror.
Mental health evaluations revealed that Devin had experienced disturbing thoughts and hallucinations prior to the attack. However, despite these issues, he was found competent to stand trial. He ultimately entered a guilty plea, acknowledging responsibility for his actions under the law.
The judge, citing the severity of the crime and the prolonged suffering involved, sentenced Devin Joel to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 25 years. The sentence brought a legal conclusion to the case, but no sense of closure for the family.
For many observers, the case raised painful questions about mental health care, warning signs, and the limits of intervention. It also highlighted the unique horror of violence that occurs within families—where love and trust are turned into weapons.
Kacy Joel is remembered not for the way she died, but for the life she lived. She was a mother, a caregiver, and a woman who deserved safety and peace in her own home. Those who loved her continue to speak her name, determined that her story will not fade into statistics.
This was not a crime defined by impulse alone. It was a prolonged act that combined physical harm with emotional cruelty. It left scars that will never fully heal for those who witnessed it directly or through the painful evidence that emerged.
In the end, the case stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of trust and the devastating consequences when violence replaces love. Kacy Joel’s life mattered. Her suffering mattered. And the responsibility to remember, to learn, and to protect others from similar harm remains with all who hear her story.
