A 66-year-old Woodland man is now in jail after investigators say they tied him to the death of a 34-year-old woman whose body was found in a remote stretch of eastern Clark County earlier this month. The victim has been identified as 34-year-old Tori Garza, who previously went by the name Victoria Mills. Detectives say their work led them to 66-year-old Andrew Thomas Brunette, who was arrested Tuesday and booked on suspicion of first-degree murder and unlawful disposal of human remains.
Deputies were first called on Feb. 14 to state forest land near DNR-1100 Road, where a passerby reported finding a body. The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office quickly labeled the death suspicious. Two days later, on Feb. 16, a family member reported Garza missing, saying no one had heard from her since Feb. 9. Investigators say her phone records showed an escort-service advertisement posted that same day. When deputies searched Garza’s home in the 9400 block of NW 17th Avenue in Vancouver, they reported finding no signs of foul play, according to KGW.
How Detectives Say They Connected the Case
From there, detectives leaned hard on digital trails. According to investigators, cellphone data and surveillance footage from places where Garza’s phone had pinged helped them zero in on a suspect vehicle and trace its movements. That vehicle was eventually linked to Brunette, who deputies say lives in the Woodland area. After building a detailed timeline of where the vehicle had been and when, detectives served a search warrant at his property on Feb. 24, per FOX 12.
Evidence and Arrest
When deputies executed the search warrant at Brunette’s home in the 200 block of Marty Loop, they say they uncovered evidence that pointed to foul play and took Brunette into custody. He was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail and is facing allegations that include first-degree murder, unlawful disposal of human remains and patronizing a prostitute. Investigators have not publicly shared any possible motive or further details of what they found, according to KGW.
What Comes Next
Brunette remains in custody as detectives continue to gather evidence and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office works with prosecutors on formal charging decisions. Authorities are asking anyone who may have information about Garza’s movements or who had contact with Brunette to call the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 564-397-2847. Detectives are also interested in any video or other potential evidence that could help their ongoing investigation, according to FOX 12.
