Family of strangled woman pleads for help

Family of strangled woman pleads for help

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Story Published: Mar 22, 2008 at 5:14 PM PDT

Story Updated: Mar 22, 2008 at 5:32 PM PDT

By KOMO Staff

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The family of a woman who was found dead Wednesday in Federal Way is pleading with the public to help find the killer who beat and strangled her to death, then stuffed her body in the trunk of her car.

"No words can explain the sorrow, and unceasing agony at the death of our beloved wife, mother, grand mother, great-grandmother and friend," the family said in a written statement about the death of Jane Carol Britt, 75.

In their grief, the family has asked their minister, the Rev. Dr. Vic Hippe of the Community of Christ, St. Luke's, in Federal Way to speak on their behalf.

"Their plea is for people, if anyone knows anything that happened around Garden Terrace on the evening of the 18th, that they would share that, that would be very helpful," Rev. Hippe said.

Britt was found Wednesday in the trunk of her 2002 Gold Mercedes in the parking lot of the Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence. Her family says she had gone there every day to visit her husband of 56 years, who suffers from Parkinson's disease.

Her husband is having a difficult time since her death, Rev. Hippe said. "He is devastated, confused and depressed by her absence."

Rev. Hippe also said the family wants to thank the many people who have offered their sympathy.

"People have reached out the them with their prayers, support and help and all kinds of ways ... shoulders to cry on, and that's been really helpful," he said.

A memorial service for Britt will take place Wednesday at the Community of Christ, St. Luke's in Federal Way.

Detectives still don't know what prompted the killing and say they're desperate for leads.

Police have cleared a man previously sought as a person of interest in the case. Surveillance video showed the man limping away from the scene where Britt was found, but the man came forward and spoke with investigators, who determined he was not involved.

"You know, we're just really trying to put that together," police spokeswoman Cathy Schrock said. "That's one of the reasons we've come to you to get anyone who might have been in the area in the last 48 hours to see if they recognize her or her vehicle and to give us a call."

Police have ruled out domestic issues, as Britt's husband is so disabled that he doesn't leave his room. Officer's also searched Britt's house, but came out empty-handed.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective Doug Deyo at (253) 835-6891 or call 911.

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