WICHITA, Kan., Nov. 22 (UPI) -- A woman who was found beaten, burned and sexually assaulted in a Wichita park last week has died of injuries sustained in the attack, police say.

The 36-year-old victim was discovered Nov. 14 by firefighters responding to a blaze in Fairmount Park, south of the Wichita State University campus. She had been beaten, cut, sexually assaulted and badly burned and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.


The victim, a mother of four, died of her injuries Saturday morning at Via Christi Hospital St. Francis, according to police.

Forensic evidence acquired by nurses at the hospital linked Cornell Antoine McNeal, 26, to the crime. Police arrested McNeal Thursday on suspicion of arson, rape and attempted first-degree murder -- charges that will now be amended to include homicide.

Wichita police say they believe the encounter between the victim and McNeal was random.