A 49-year-old Olympia man was found dead late Thursday in a home on Wesley Loop NW in what investigators are treating as an apparent homicide, and the relative identified as the suspect later died after being taken into custody in Longview. Detectives say they have recovered evidence tying the relative to the killing, and the case now stretches across both Thurston and Cowlitz counties as the probe continues.
How deputies first learned about the scene
Deputies were dispatched to the 3700 block of Wesley Loop NW at about 9 p.m., according to a news release cited by The Daily Chronicle. The release noted that the victim’s identity will be released later by the Thurston County coroner and included a brief expression of condolences from the sheriff’s office to those affected by the killing.
Arrest in Longview and suspect's death
Investigators developed information that the relative, who lived with the victim, was in Longview. Longview police found his vehicle and took him into custody, KIRO 7 reported. Shortly after the arrest, the suspect suffered a medical emergency and died despite life-saving efforts. According to the station, the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances of his death.
What detectives say they found
Detectives later served a search warrant at a Longview home and say they found items that may have contributed to the suspect’s medical emergency, along with evidence linking him to the homicide, The Daily Chronicle reported. The paper noted that the Cowlitz County coroner’s office will release the suspect’s identity and the cause and manner of his death, while the Thurston County coroner will release the victim’s name at a later time.
How to help investigators
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to contact non-emergency dispatch at 360-704-2740 or email [email protected], according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. Officials say the investigation remains active and that additional details will be released after the coroner’s findings are complete.
Legal next steps
With the suspect deceased, prosecutors will not be able to pursue criminal charges against him. Instead, investigators and coroners in both counties will focus on determining the cause and manner of both deaths and fully documenting the homicide evidence for any further legal or official action. Authorities in Thurston and Cowlitz counties say there is no additional information to release at this time.
