Kansas man accused of fatally shooting wife during fight had history of abuse, police say

Ivy Unruh, 25, was shot by her estranged husband on April 17 in front of her apartment building

Published May 22, 2026  •  2 minute read

Ivy Unruh. Photo by jostfuneralhome.com

See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source

Article content

A history of abuse during a Kansas couple’s relationship was revealed in court after the husband was accused of fatally shooting his estranged wife during an argument.

Article content

Article content

Those new details from law enforcement emerged as Joshua Orlando, 29, of Wichita, is accused of intentional and premeditated murder in the first degree in the death of Ivy Unruh, 25, Sedgwick County court records show, reports lawandcrime.com.

The Wichita Police Department said the shooting occurred at an apartment building on the morning of April 17 as law enforcement responded to a 911 call a few minutes past 8 a.m.

Officers found Unruh suffering from a gunshot wound to her upper body and a gun nearby. She was rushed to hospital where she died days later.

Authorities claim Orlando himself made the 911 call that day, according to court documents obtained by CBS affiliate KWCH.

“My wife and I got into a fight,” the 911 caller says at one point. “I came to drop some stuff off and she got really mad that I was there. We were arguing and she hit me. I thought she was going to swing again with … I shot her, I shot her.”

Article content

Article content

When police arrived at the scene, they handcuffed Orlando but he urged them to help Unruh.

“I know she didn’t mean to hurt me,” he said according to the filing.

The charging document says the victim was found lying on her back while her right hand clutched a plastic bag containing a Nintendo Switch gaming console.

Victim left abusive ex: apartment leasing agent

Investigators said a statement from the apartment’s leasing agent alleged when Unruh rented the unit she said she wanted to get away from her abusive ex and was interested in the building’s security features.

The affidavit says the leasing agent also offered that Unruh did not want her to contact her former landlord because that person was a friend of her ex.

In August 2025, Unruh filed for divorce, according to records cited by KWCH. In terms of the distribution of assets, Unruh said Orlando would get his pistol while she would maintain possession of the gaming console.

Law enforcement was also told by Unruh’s supervisor at PBS Kansas, where she worked as a broadcast engineer, the victim had separated from her spouse due to verbal and physical abuse and had seen bruises on Unruh both in pictures and in person.

Article content

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

Orlando told cops the impending divorce had multiple causes, including that Unruh had cheated on him.

On the day of the shooting, Orlando was going to leave some of Unruh’s property at her door but instead she waited at the foot of the stairs at her apartment with the Switch in a bag, according to statements made by him to police.

Orlando said he handed over the console and a final argument ensued. Unruh then allegedly “swung the bag with the Nintendo and struck him on the left side of his face.”

Following that, Orlando pulled out his handgun, used his left arm to cover his face, and “blind fired” a single round, according to the affidavit.

Article content