44-Year-Old Transient Woman Killed
Kent, WA, August 1, 2002 - Case 02-9214
About 1:30 AM, Kent police were notified of an apparently deceased female having been seen next to the building at 811 S. First Street. Kent officers responded and found a 44-year-old woman dead (born September 1957). The woman was tentatively identified as a person who had described herself as "transient" in past contacts with the Kent Police. She was known to frequent the area of south Kent. It was apparent that she had died of homicidal violence. While KPD Evidence Technicians examined the scene of the death with the King County Medical Examiners Office, Kent Detectives interviewed residents who live in the area. Several items of potential evidence were found in a trash dumpster and along with numerous interviews led to the identity of several suspects.
One suspect is currently in custody. This person is a 18 year old male resident of Kent. The other suspects are being sought at this time.
No motive for this crime is yet known. This case requires much more work, but Kent Detectives hope to arrest all suspects soon.
The location of this crime is an area of light industrial, manufacturing, and warehousing just south of an area of older homes and small apartment communities.
The identity of the victim will not be released until an autopsy has confirmed her identity and her next of kin have been notified. The identity of the suspects will not be released until they are formally charged with a crime.
Kent Police do not believe this was a random crime, we believe there was some connection between the deceased and the suspects.
Second Arrest made in killing of homeless woman
Kent, WA - August 2 2002 - Case: 02-9214
About 3:30 PM, August 2, 2002, Kent Police detectives arrested a second suspect in the killing of a 44 year old homeless woman. The suspect is a 17-year-old male resident of Auburn, WA. Detectives continue to search for a third suspect also a 17-year-old male, with a last known address in SeaTac.
On the morning of Aug 2nd Dr Chorsky of the King County Medical Examiners Office completed an autopsy of the victim and found the cause of death to be "blunt force injuries to the head and neck," and the manner of death to be homicide. The victims name will not be released until her identity is confirmed and her family notified.
The 18-year-old is booked in the City of Kent Jail. At a preliminary hearing on Friday the judge found probable cause to hold the suspect and required that formal charged be filed by the afternoon of Tuesday Aug 6, 2002. The 17 year old arrested this afternoon will be booked in the King County Juvenile Detention facility.
Third Suspect In Custody for Homicide
Kent, WA - August 6, 2002 - Case: 02-9214
The third suspect in the murder of the homeless woman has been arrested. This young man is 17 years old. His identity will not be released until such time as he is charged in adult court.
This is believed to be the final suspect in this case.
UPDATE: As of August 28, 2002
The first two suspects in this case have been charged with Murder Second Degree.
