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Friday,  April 18 , 2025

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Photo of Jessica Prokop

Stories by Jessica Prokop

Columbian Local News Editor

Kirkland C. Warren, 27, appeared Tuesday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of tampering with a witness, violating a no-contact order and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Warren facing first-degree murder in shooting deaths of Meshay Melendez, daughter Layla 

Kirkland C. Warren, 27, appeared Tuesday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of tampering with a witness, violating a no-contact order and unlawful possession of a firearm.

March 31, 2023, 3:06pm Clark County News

The Vancouver Police Department announced Friday that Kirkland C. Warren is facing two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his former girlfriend, Meshay “Karmen” Melendez, and her 7-year-old daughter, Layla Stewart. Read story

Layla Stewart's auntie, Lashay Taylor, in purple memorial shirt, grieves at a community vigil Sunday for the 7-year-old girl and her mother, Meshay Melendez, in Esther Short Park.

Hundreds gather to mourn, honor Meshay Melendez and daughter Layla

Layla Stewart's auntie, Lashay Taylor, in purple memorial shirt, grieves at a community vigil Sunday for the 7-year-old girl and her mother, Meshay Melendez, in Esther Short Park.

March 26, 2023, 3:40pm Clark County News

Slain mother and daughter Meshay "Karmen" Melendez and Layla Stewart will be remembered for being “so full of energy and life." No matter how bad of a day, they would wipe away a loved one’s tears and bring a smile to their face. Read story

The Clark County Courthouse (The Columbian files)

Washougal man sentenced to 108 years for child rape in Clark County court

The Clark County Courthouse (The Columbian files)

March 24, 2023, 3:23pm Clark County News

A Washougal man was sentenced Friday in Clark County Superior Court to 108 years in prison for producing sexually explicit materials depicting his rape of two infants. Read story

A small memorial is seen Thursday afternoon along Wooding Road in Washougal. Authorities found two bodies, believed to be those of Meshay "Karmen" Melendez and her daughter, Layla Stewart, in a brushy area farther down the road Wednesday.

Questions over lack of GPS monitoring after bodies of Vancouver mom, daughter found

A small memorial is seen Thursday afternoon along Wooding Road in Washougal. Authorities found two bodies, believed to be those of Meshay "Karmen" Melendez and her daughter, Layla Stewart, in a brushy area farther down the road Wednesday.

March 23, 2023, 8:15pm Clark County News

Many questions remain as the police investigation continues into the deaths of 27-year-old Meshay “Karmen” Melendez and her 7-year-old daughter, Layla Stewart. Read story

Meshay "Karmen" Melendez and daughter Layla Stewart, 7

Records detail timeline in disappearance, death of Meshay Melendez, daughter Layla

Meshay "Karmen" Melendez and daughter Layla Stewart, 7

March 23, 2023, 1:14pm Clark County News

The following information comes from court records filed in Clark County Superior and District Courts and Jefferson County Circuit Court in Arkansas, as well as police news releases. None of the allegations or charges have been proven in a court of law; all cases are pending. Read story

Law enforcement officials work at the scene along Wooding Road east of Washougal on Wednesday afternoon, March 22, 2023. Authorities found two bodies believed to be those of a missing Vancouver woman and her 7-year-old daughter in a brushy area farther down Wooding Road.

Police: Bodies of missing mother, daughter found near Washougalvideo icon

Law enforcement officials work at the scene along Wooding Road east of Washougal on Wednesday afternoon, March 22, 2023. Authorities found two bodies believed to be those of a missing Vancouver woman and her 7-year-old daughter in a brushy area farther down Wooding Road.

March 22, 2023, 6:00pm Clark County News

Authorities found two bodies believed to be those of a missing Vancouver woman and her 7-year-old daughter in a rural area east of Washougal, police announced Wednesday.  Read story

(IStock.com)

Victims named in December mobile home fire near Ridgefield

(IStock.com)

March 22, 2023, 3:39pm Clark County News

The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office identified Belinda Rhodes and Devin Hemry as the two people who were found dead inside a Ridgefield-area mobile home after it caught fire in December. Read story

The Clark County Courthouse (The Columbian files)

Battle Ground school counselor accused of assaulting her son

The Clark County Courthouse (The Columbian files)

March 22, 2023, 12:59pm Clark County News

A counselor at Battle Ground High School was placed on administrative leave Friday after she was arrested for allegedly assaulting her 10-year-old son. Read story

Family members Kendrick Taylor, 38, left, and Miguel Melendez, 24, both of Vancouver, speak with media Tuesday afternoon about missing mother and daughter, Meshay Melendez and Layla Stewart.

Family of missing Vancouver mom, daughter feel let down by court system

Family members Kendrick Taylor, 38, left, and Miguel Melendez, 24, both of Vancouver, speak with media Tuesday afternoon about missing mother and daughter, Meshay Melendez and Layla Stewart.

March 21, 2023, 7:28pm Clark County News

The family of missing mother and daughter, Meshay Melendez and Layla Stewart, say they believe Vancouver’s Kirkland Warren holds the answers to their whereabouts. Read story

(iStock.com)

Officials ID man dropped unresponsive at Legacy Salmon Creek who later died

(iStock.com)

March 20, 2023, 12:38pm Clark County News

A 54-year-old Longview man was identified Monday as the person who was dropped off at a local hospital March 10 and later pronounced dead. Read story