$10K reward offered for information on King County homicide/arson investigation

$10K reward offered for information leading to arrest in homicide/arson cover-up

Around 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 17, detectives and fire crews responded to a fire at a trailer on a property in Auburn. When they arrived at the fire, they found human remains among the debris.

AUBURN, Wash. - The King County Sheriff's Office is offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest of a suspect or suspects involved in a homicide and apparent arson cover-up.

Around 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 17, detectives and fire crews responded to a fire at a trailer on a property in Auburn on Military Road. When they arrived at the fire, they found human remains among the debris.

Investigators believe that the victim was killed at the scene and then the trailer was set on fire to destroy any evidence.

However, the killer or killers made mistakes. Detectives hope a $10,000 reward for information could bring in key evidence.

Detectives say they are not looking for a smoking gun to solve the case. Rather, they told FOX 13 News that someone likely holds a tidbit of information that may be key to blowing the case open.

"This case is solvable," said Detective Mike Mellis. "Mistakes were made and we are following those leads."

Mellis showed FOX 13 the burned travel trailer where firefighters located the body of someone showing signs of homicidal violence.

The property was packed with people, says Mellis. The victim’s friends tried to save them.

"They tried to put it out, they tried to rescue their friend in the trailer," he said. "The flames were too high and they were pushed back."

By the time firefighters doused the blaze, charred rubble lay strewn about the property and a body was discovered inside an RV showing signs of violence. The murderer or murderers, according to Mellis, were able to flee the scene without being caught.

"They might not have the smoking gun, but I can’t leave them out there without knowing what they saw," Mellis said. "I’m not looking for a star witness; I’m looking for those people who were here to talk to us."

Detectives say tipsters can remain anonymous, but they need help from the public to move forward.

If you have information, reach out to the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311 and reference case #C22038270.