PORT ORCHARD — Graphic photos posted online appear to show a slain woman hours before her body was found, police in Washington state said Wednesday.
Kitsap County sheriff’s Deputy Scott Wilson saw the photos on two websites along with a statement, apparently from the killer, he said.
The identity of the woman whose body was found by a relative Tuesday had yet to be confirmed by the coroner, so the sheriff’s office could not say if the online postings were authentic, Wilson said.
“Anytime somebody posts something on social media with a very graphic depiction of what claims to be a crime scene, we’re going to take it seriously,” Wilson said.
The photos were posted on 4chan, an online bulletin board whose free-wheeling and anonymous nature has led to some of the Web’s darker moments. Earlier this year hundreds of private pictures of nude celebrities were posted on the site.
No suspect has been identified. Deputies were looking for the dead woman’s gold 2001 Ford Focus with the Washington license 495-YLY.
The body of the woman in her 30s was found about 3:30 p.m. by the relative who called 911. It was unclear if the online photos led to the discovery.
A crime scene investigation was conducted overnight at the unit in an apartment complex.
The statement posted with the photos described how the woman fought and how the body might be discovered and make the news. The writer also wrote of planning to be fatally shot by police.
“If we identify a potential suspect we have to treat the suspect as possibly dangerous,” Wilson said. “It doesn’t matter whether they say they’re going out by suicide by cop.”
