Warrant issued for arrest of murdered woman's ex-husband
TACOMA, Wash. - The ex-husband of a Spanaway woman whose body was found last month near Yelm is now suspected in her death, and detectives are
asking for the public's help in tracking him down.
Detectives issued a first-degree murder warrant Thursday for the arrest of Scott M. Kagawa, 49, after they identified him as a suspect in the disappearance and death of his wife, Rita Kagawa, 53, officials said.
Rita Kagawa's body was found June 26 near the Nisqually Indian Reservation in Thurston County. She disappeared May 18 under highly suspicious circumstances.
Before her body was discovered, Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer said investigators believe something "sinister" happened to Kagawa, and that she may have been killed.
She didn't show up for work on May 20 as scheduled, and her car was found outside her apartment after her family reported her missing.
"She's not the type of person to miss work," Troyer said at the time.
The Tacoma News Tribune earlier reported that Kagawa and her Scott Kagawa had discussed an upcoming court hearing during a phone call on May 18. At the hearing five days later, Kagawa's ex-husband was ordered to pay her a $67,000 settlement, the newspaper reported.
Scott Mitsuo Kagawa is described as a white male standing 5-feet-7-inches tall and weighing 175 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He may be suicidal or attempting to flee the area, said a Pierce County Sheriff's Office spokesman.
Crime Stoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to his arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call (253) 591-5959. All callers will remain anonymous.
Detectives issued a first-degree murder warrant Thursday for the arrest of Scott M. Kagawa, 49, after they identified him as a suspect in the disappearance and death of his wife, Rita Kagawa, 53, officials said.
Rita Kagawa's body was found June 26 near the Nisqually Indian Reservation in Thurston County. She disappeared May 18 under highly suspicious circumstances.
Before her body was discovered, Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer said investigators believe something "sinister" happened to Kagawa, and that she may have been killed.
She didn't show up for work on May 20 as scheduled, and her car was found outside her apartment after her family reported her missing.
"She's not the type of person to miss work," Troyer said at the time.
 Rita Kagawa |
The Tacoma News Tribune earlier reported that Kagawa and her Scott Kagawa had discussed an upcoming court hearing during a phone call on May 18. At the hearing five days later, Kagawa's ex-husband was ordered to pay her a $67,000 settlement, the newspaper reported.
Scott Mitsuo Kagawa is described as a white male standing 5-feet-7-inches tall and weighing 175 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He may be suicidal or attempting to flee the area, said a Pierce County Sheriff's Office spokesman.
Crime Stoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to his arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call (253) 591-5959. All callers will remain anonymous.
