Former Marine, PBS employee killed by estranged husband, authorities say

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH/Gray News) - Family and friends are remembering a 25-year-old woman who lost her life after a domestic shooting.

Authorities said Ivy Unruh suffered critical injuries in a shooting at an apartment complex in northeast Wichita involving her estranged husband last week.

She died three days later.

Unruh worked at PBS Kansas as a broadcast engineer. She was also a former Marine with a background in radio frequency and satellite communications, which the team said made her a perfect fit at the station.

“Ivy did all of the right things,” PBS Kansas President Victor Hogstrom said. “She was happy to work with people. She was happy to get things done.”

However, Unruh’s coworkers said they were made aware of some possible issues she was having with her estranged husband, identified as 29-year-old Joshua Orlando.

“She filed for a divorce, she moved out,” Hogstrom said. “She just did what the professionals advised her to do.”

The station team said they took steps to protect her.

“We even have a code. If he were to show up here at the station, our receptionist would get on the intercom and announce the code,” Hogstrom said.

Hogstrom said the station held a meeting to discuss Unruh’s death.

“People were crying and not happy,” Hogstrom said. “I even choked up when we talked about. You know, it’s sad, and we’ll miss her. She made significant contributions to this station.”

Hogstrom said he wanted to pass along a message to Unruh’s family.

“Extend our condolences, and we feel their pain; we’re sad as they are,” he said. “And may her soul rest in peace.”

PBS has yet to plan a memorial for Unruh. Hogstrom said her boss will be working to make sure her memory doesn’t fade.

Unruh’s family released a statement through a GoFundMe made to aid the family with funeral and transportation costs:

“We really cannot express our awe and appreciation of the people who loved Ivy,” loved ones shared. “All any of us could focus on was getting here and being with her.”

According to the family, the funds raised will go towards Unruh’s funeral in Kansas as well as ensuring she has a place in Arizona next to her uncle, grandmother and grandfather.

Family members say the former Marine will also continue to save lives.

“Ivy was an organ donor and planned to continue being a hero and saving lives even after she was no longer with us. We have received news from the organ donor team and Ivy saved six people in total. Six pieces of her that will live on.

Orlando has been charged with one count of first-degree premeditated murder in Unruh’s death. He’s being held in the Sedgwick County Jail on a $300,000 bond.