By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
March 9, 2011

“This city could use an army of Yuris,” Mayor Mark Funkhouser said of the late Yuri Ives.

Ives, who was murdered in his home Feb. 28, was considered a leader in the community and a real estate guru.

“Yuri worked very hard in the Northeast, attracting new people to the area that are now great contributors to Historic Northeast,” District 40 Rep. John Rizzo said. “Yuri will be sorely missed.

“Unfortunately, we’ve lost another strong proponent of Northeast.”

To honor Ives and his positive impact to Northeast, Rizzo introduced a resolution to the House of Representatives to observe a moment of silence Monday on the House floor.

Former tenants of Ives, Eddie Bedford and Lois Swimmer, also spoke fondly of Ives.

Both Bedford and Swimmer met Ives in 1997, when he became owner of 500 Gladstone Blvd., an apartment complex. For ten years, the couple resided at 500 Gladstone and reminisced how Ives “loved the neighborhood and the old buildings.”

“He was always there for you,” Swimmer said. “If we came up short on rent, he said, ‘We’ll work it out. Just give me what you can.’ He was always like that.”

Bedford worked for Ives as a maintenance employee for the apartment complex and voiced his gratitude.

“There ain’t nothing bad that I can say about him,” Bedford said. “He was always good to me. He made me a better person.”

Bedford recalled how Ives helped him through trying times by saying, “Hold your head up; It’s going to get better.”

“He was just a real nice guy,” Bedford said. “I just can’t believe this happened.”

For two days, Kansas City Missouri Police kept Ives’ residence at 511 Gladstone Blvd. roped off with crime tape. Jackson County Medical Examiner’s office determined the 48-year-old died from multiple gun shot wounds and lacerations.

Two suspects are now in custody, Oak Park High School students Zachary C. Kimbrell, 18, and Ali K. Cubba, 17, and have each been charged with second degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and first degree robbery.

Kansas City Missouri Police responded to a reported shooting at 511 Gladstone Blvd. Feb. 28 at approximately 11:11 p.m. and found Ives’ deceased body inside the residence.

One witness said he heard “two loud bangs” outside his residence, according to court documents. When he looked outside, he saw a dark figure between his residence and Ives’. He and his roommate began chasing the man, but eventually lost track of the suspect.

When the two roommates approached Yuri’s home, they walked through an open door and found Ives’ body inside.

Investigators located a knife sheath and bloodied knife near the property’s fence, and inside the residence they found a cell phone registered to Cubba.

Ives’ personal computer was searched and investigators found e-mails between Cubba and Ives, including an e-mail to meet at Ives’ residence the night of Feb. 28.

Ives’ wallet, cell phone and .44 caliber revolver were missing.

When police arrested Cubba, they noticed a laceration on Cubba’s hand. Cubba was read his Miranda Waiver and requested an attorney.

Kimbrell was also read his Miranda Waiver but agreed to talk to detectives.

Kimbrell said Cubba met Ives on Craigslist. When Kimbrell agreed to drive Cubba to Ives’ house, he knew Cubba planned to rob Ives, he said. He said he also knew Cubba had a knife in his possession.

While Cubba was inside Ives’ home, Cubba and Kimbrell exchanged text messages about concealing the license plate, the alarm system, Ives’ wallet, and arrangements for pickup following the robbery.

When Cubba returned to the vehicle, he was bloodied and carrying a gun, Kimbrell told detectives.

Kimbrell described the gun, which matched the description of Ives’ missing gun.

Police obtained a search warrant for Cubba’s resident and located the .44 caliber revolver in Cubba’s bedroom.

Above: Police tape blocks off Yuri Ives’ residence March 1 at 511 Gladstone Blvd. Photo by Leslie Collins