OLYMPIA — A 31-year-old Thurston County man was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of killing a 34-year-old woman and her 4-year-old daughter, Thurston County Sheriff’s Office says. Hikers discovered the two bodies while on a logging trail near Tolmie State Park Tuesday.
Deputies apprehended the man near Pacific Avenue Southeast and Carpenter Road Southeast in Lacey about 9 p.m. Thursday, Lt. Ray Brady told The Olympian.
The suspect was on foot and tried to flee, but was quickly taken into custody, Brady said. He was booked into Thurston County Jail on suspicion of aggravated first-degree murder.
The office is not releasing how the man is related to the victims; however, Brady said the man is not the 4-year-old girl’s father and he lives in the Thurston County area.
The bodies of the woman and her child were found about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday on the 5700 block of Puget Beach Road Northeast. The Sheriff’s Office reports they showed “obvious signs of trauma” and believes they were left at the location within the previous day.
Earlier Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office requested the public’s help in finding a black 2009 Chevy HHR in connection to its investigation into the double homicide. Brady said law enforcement found the vehicle Thursday afternoon.
The arrest was made based on information detectives had been gathering throughout the day, he said.
“As the case developed, we’ve cleared several different people that had potential ties to these victims,” said Brady. “Our investigation led us to this suspect.”
An autopsy of the two victims is scheduled for tomorrow, according to Brady. In the meantime, the victims’ identities will not be released.
The man is expected to appear in Thurston County Superior Court Friday afternoon.
The Olympian does not identify suspects by name or photo until they appear in court.
