Elderly Everett man dies 6 weeks after vicious attack
EVERETT, Wash. -- A convicted felon accused of beating and robbing a 91-year-old Everett man is behind bars, but police believe there may be more victims out there.
Even at 91-years old, Harold Caywood's family said he was still living his life. He was active and enjoyed a number of hobbies. But on August 24, police say Caywood was viciously attacked outside a local AM/PM gas station.
'He knocked my dad down and he punched him in the face," said Caywood's daughter, Susan Fenner. "I understand he got kicked, and then the guy took off and ran to the Burger King."
Investigators believe 26-year-old Patrick Hartness is the attacker. They say Hartness tried to hide inside the Burger King bathroom, but manager Tim Goldsworthy found him and held him until police arrived.
In an odd twist, Goldsworthy actually knew Caywood.
"He's just a really pleasant gentleman, never had a cruel word for anybody," Goldsworthy said.
As for Hartness, police believe he's responsible for multiple burglaries throughout Snohomish County.
"We believe what he's been doing is targeting elderly victims and actually going into their residences and taking checks and money and those types of things and then going out and spending that," said Aaron Snell of the Everett Police Department.
Hartness was arrested, but the story doesn't have a happy ending.
Caywood's family said his health continued to deteriorate after the attack.
"He was a very active man, and after that assault he was never the same and he just declined, declined, declined," Fenner said.
After struggling for more than a month, Caywood passed away on Thursday.
His family hopes more victims will come forward and the man responsible is punished.
"I hope he pays for his crimes and I hope they lock him up for a very long time so he can never ever do this to anyone again," Fenner said.
Hartness is charged with first degree robbery, and prosecutors say he could face additional charges.
Anyone with information about any additional crimes is asked to call the Everett Police Department.
Even at 91-years old, Harold Caywood's family said he was still living his life. He was active and enjoyed a number of hobbies. But on August 24, police say Caywood was viciously attacked outside a local AM/PM gas station.
'He knocked my dad down and he punched him in the face," said Caywood's daughter, Susan Fenner. "I understand he got kicked, and then the guy took off and ran to the Burger King."
Investigators believe 26-year-old Patrick Hartness is the attacker. They say Hartness tried to hide inside the Burger King bathroom, but manager Tim Goldsworthy found him and held him until police arrived.
In an odd twist, Goldsworthy actually knew Caywood.
"He's just a really pleasant gentleman, never had a cruel word for anybody," Goldsworthy said.
As for Hartness, police believe he's responsible for multiple burglaries throughout Snohomish County.
"We believe what he's been doing is targeting elderly victims and actually going into their residences and taking checks and money and those types of things and then going out and spending that," said Aaron Snell of the Everett Police Department.
Hartness was arrested, but the story doesn't have a happy ending.
Caywood's family said his health continued to deteriorate after the attack.
"He was a very active man, and after that assault he was never the same and he just declined, declined, declined," Fenner said.
After struggling for more than a month, Caywood passed away on Thursday.
His family hopes more victims will come forward and the man responsible is punished.
"I hope he pays for his crimes and I hope they lock him up for a very long time so he can never ever do this to anyone again," Fenner said.
Hartness is charged with first degree robbery, and prosecutors say he could face additional charges.
Anyone with information about any additional crimes is asked to call the Everett Police Department.
For every judge that let's a murderer go, Â we need to beat that judge to a pulp.
May you R.I.P. Sir. Judges please take your job more seriously. This is what happens when you let the monsters run free.
First degree robbery....? Why not murder or at least man slaughter? He killed the old guy!
Murder charges, lets just kill him now!
I'm so sorry for Hal and his family I dont even know what to say. Not just an elderly man but literally about the kindest gentleman you could ever hope to meet. An honored World War 2 veteran murdered at a gas station by a piece of human garbage not fit to carry Hal's shoes. Havent cried on years but im so angry right now. Or maybe just sad.
our system doesn't stop crime. we need a new system were the most dangerous guys are executed as more jail/prison room is needed for lesser crimes. Just like sex offenders too many re-offend when they get out. One person who is always in trouble must cost taxpayers millions of dollars over their lifetime of crime in courtroom and lawyer fees plus housing them.Â
hey prosecutors: Charge him with "death by elder abuse" and ask for "life plus one day". i'm sure the jury will all vote for that.
Just kill him. Now!
Poor Mr Caywood crossed paths with someone without conscience or soul. Â This violation, attack, theft from a vulnerable gentle man was so senseless and heartbreaking. Â My sincere condolences to Mr Caywood's family.
How heartbreaking. Condolences to Mr. Caywood's family and friends.
Predators go to the weak, please come try to do that to me, please.
The punk sure better face additional charges in this case, hopefully they can file on other victims too. Kudos to the BK manager for nabbing him.
someone that old shouldn`t have to die that way. put a bullet in that punk.
Rest in peace, Mr. Caywood, my heart goes out to his family and friends. Â As to the craven coward who did this - have you no shame, picking on an elderly gentleman. Â Pick on someone your own age - but you won't do that because fundamentally, you are a coward! Â I hope the full wrath of justice comes down on your head. Â To say you belong in the sewer is an insult to sewage.
Deepest condolences to family and friends. RIP Mr. Caywood.
I am so sorry for the loss that Mr.Caywood's family has suffered, my heart breaks for them.
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There is nothing redeeming in a person capable of attacking someone who is unable to defend themselves, to call Patrick Harness scum is an insult to scum. I hope they are able to charge him with murder or manslaughter since Mr. Caywood died as a result of the attack; Patrick Harness deserves to rot in a prison cell, actually, he deserves rot someplace much worse.Â
This absolutely breaks my heart. What a sweet old fella. Just minding his own business. I'm just sickened by this. I feel so sad that he had 91 years of life amongst us and some subhuman piece of trash took him out of this world. Please, please, please charge this man with murder and make him spend the rest of his life in a cell or if I had my choice I'd just get my rope.
How horrible that such a sweet old man had to suffer at the hands of this useless creep Patrick Harness. The family of Mr.Caywood should be able to have a say in what the punishment will be for Harness. Really, just locking him up and feeding him is too easy on criminals. Oh, especially if there really are things like TV and Internet access in prison. That's ridiculous.
I'm not getting my hopes up too high on this, but I really hope the scumbag that did this, gets the harshest penalty the courts can hand down. If the courts fail again, I hope Karma lays a smackdown on this guy that is fast and brutal.
 @Wolfen thanks.. I was going to say some angry things.... you covered how I was feeling much better... makes me ill seeing this Godly like mans picture and then to have to consider what happened.... ugh!
My heart aches hearing of this elderly man's passing. RIP Mr. Caywood. I hope there will be swift justice for you and your family. As for this scumbag, he should be charged for murder and never get to see the light of day again. You have to be a pretty stinking lowlife scum to attack elders. I hope he rots.
@Koreanman012  Lowlife scum happens. We should think about how to try to prevent it and minimize it.Â
My heart hurts for this family. How profoundly sad.
If an autopsy finds that the injuries to the elderly gentleman were a the major factor in his death, then
the charge should be murder.
Sounds like this Harness fellow should be charged with murder as well.Â
Rope, please.
RIP, Dear Sir. To his family, I am so sorry this happened to him.....
ugh. where do these shameless, gutless vermin spring from?
KOMO: would very much appreciate a posting of the suspects picture when you can, thanks.
@LNSeveNÂ Here's the areticle from the Everett Hereld with a photo of the coward: http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20121002/NEWS01/710029860/0/SEARCH
 @proudarmywife! Thank you for the link, now we can see what this filthy swine looks like, I'm not a violent person, but I would like to see someone like this released to the public to show him how it feels to be a victim,  beasts like him who pray on the most vulnerable in our world deserve nothing, that smart ass look should be permanently wiped off his filthy face.
 @LNSeveN It won't let me paste a link, but go the Everett Herald October 2 edition and look for "Burglary suspect preyed on elderly, police say.
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