Joshua Orlando faces decades in prison after admitting to felony murder and aggravated kidnapping in Ivy Unruh’s death.
WICHITA, Kan. — A Wichita man has pleaded guilty to felony first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping in the shooting death of his estranged wife outside her apartment, prosecutors said.
Joshua Orlando, 29, entered the plea Wednesday in Sedgwick County District Court in connection with the April 17 shooting of Ivy Unruh, 25. Prosecutors said Orlando faces at least 38.75 years in the Kansas Department of Corrections before he is eligible for parole. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 28 before Judge Jeffrey Goering.
Police said officers were called shortly after 8 a.m. April 17 to the Remington Apartments at 7272 E. 37th St. North. Officers found Unruh near Building 5 with a gunshot wound to her upper body. A firearm was recovered at the scene. Unruh was taken to a local hospital in grave condition and died April 20.
According to court records described by investigators, Orlando had gone to Unruh’s apartment to drop off belongings during the couple’s separation. A probable cause affidavit said a Nintendo Switch gaming console was found in a plastic bag in Unruh’s hand after the shooting. Orlando called 911 after the gunfire and told a dispatcher that he and his wife had been fighting, according to the affidavit.
Investigators said Unruh and Orlando were married but separated at the time of the shooting. Court records showed Unruh had filed for divorce in August 2025. People interviewed by police said Unruh had described past verbal and physical abuse and was trying to distance herself from Orlando. Authorities have not said the guilty plea resolved every factual dispute in the case, but the plea ended the need for a trial on the amended charges.
Unruh was remembered by coworkers as a former Marine and a broadcast engineer at PBS Kansas. Station leaders said she had worked in communications and brought technical skill to her job. Her death also drew attention from people who knew about concerns for her safety during the separation.
The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office said the case was investigated by the Wichita Police Department and prosecuted by District Attorney Marc Bennett and Assistant District Attorney Moriah Plowden. Orlando remains in custody while awaiting sentencing.
As of Sunday, July 5, Orlando’s next scheduled court milestone is sentencing on Aug. 28.
Author note: Last updated July 5, 2026.