Vancouver police Monday night were investigating a homicide in a run-down duplex at 1006 S.E. Morgan Road, off Middle Way and just north of state Highway 14.
Detective Sgt. Scott Creager said a woman was killed. He did not release a name or age.
Police responded shortly before 7 p.m. to the crime scene in the Father Blanchet Park neighborhood.
Creager is the supervisor of the Major Crime Unit, which is investigating the alleged slaying.
Police had not identified a suspect in the case as of The Columbian’s press time.
A neighbor, Reed Homan, 20, said he was about 600 feet uphill on Morgan doing yard work.
“I heard someone faintly yelling ‘Help me,’” Homan said. He said a friend with him wasn’t sure he heard it, and it was so faint that he did not call 911.
He said police and paramedics arrived about 15 or 20 minutes later.
Someone else did call 911. According to radio traffic monitored at The Columbian, a family member came home to find the woman inside with a serious-looking head injury.
When police went inside, they found the woman wrapped in a blanket, bleeding from the head and not responsive, according to radio traffic.
The homicide occurred in a dead-end cluster of about eight structures, mostly duplex units, some visible from Highway 14.
The area contrasts with large homes in the well-to-do neighborhood along quiet, tree-lined Middle Way.
Another neighbor said he believes the duplexes were built in the 1940s. Neighbors said there have been an unusual number of police visits to the area.
“They keep to themselves pretty much,” a neighbor said.
As curious folks walked by, some with friendly dogs on leashes, the Major Crime Unit evidence van arrived.
The property is owned by Steven and Stacey Anliker, according to county records.
One murder was reported last year in Clark County, and eight in 2009.
John Branton: 360-735-4513 or john.branton@columbian.com.
