Kansas approves settlement in inmate wrongful death lawsuit

A wrongful death lawsuit, stemming from an alleged strangulation inside a 2-person cell at Lansing prison, has been settled by the state of Kansas to the tune of $275,000.

July 31, 2025 - 2:25 PM

The State Finance Council, which includes Gov. Laura Kelly and leaders of the Kansas Legislature, voted unanimously to accept Attorney General Kris Kobach's recommendation of a $275,000 settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit brought by the estate of Gary Raburn, who was strangled in a two-person cell at Lansing Correctional Facility. Raburn's cellmate, Ladarious Racquez Barbers, has been charged with murder. Photo by Kansas Reflector screen capture from Google Maps street view

TOPEKA — The governor, attorney general and bipartisan leaders of the Legislature agreed to a $275,000 settlement of a lawsuit filed against the Kansas Department of Corrections by the estate of Gary Raburn after he was strangled in a cell at Lansing Correctional Facility.

Attorney General Kris Kobach recommended the State Finance Council make the deal to end the suit filed in Leavenworth County District Court.

In 2024, Gov. Laura Kelly, Senate President Ty Masterson, House Speaker Dan Hawkins and others on the State Finance Council endorsed a separate…

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