Suspect arrested in Snohomish County murder-arson
ARLINGTON, Wash. - A woman who was found dead after a house fire in Arlington on Wednesday was actually strangled to death before the blaze, and a suspect has now been arrested in her murder, investigators said.
Kevin L. Prentiss of the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office said Saturday it appears the fire was deliberately set to cover up the killing.
The 54-year-old woman's body was found on the living room floor as crews extinguished a house fire Wednesday in the 18600 block of Silverleaf Place in Arlington, Prentiss said.
An autopsy was conducted later, and the Snohomish County Medical Examiner ruled the woman's death as a homicide caused by strangulation that took place before the fire.
Arlington police then asked for help from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit when it became apparent that they were dealing with a murder and arson.
Detectives later identified a 22-year-old suspect in the woman's death and the fire that followed. The suspect had rented an upstairs room at the woman's home.
On Friday at about 7 p.m., the suspect was arrested and booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of second-degree murder and first-degree arson.
Authorities were withholding the name of the victim until they could contact her next-of-kin, who live out of state. The name of the suspect also was not immediately released.
Sharlene Woods, who rented a downstairs room at the woman's home, stopped by the house on Saturday to pick up her personal belongings and spoke with KOMO News.
She said she was at work when the fire broke out and was absolutely stunned and saddened when she learned what happened.
"She was a delightful woman that always treated me kindly and treated others kindly, as far as I know," Woods said. "It'll be a loss. She loved animals and always had a great laugh."
Woods said she wasn't even aware that another renter lived at the home, and was even more shocked to learn he had been arrested as a suspect.
None of the woman's neighbors said they ever saw a fight or heard an argument at the home - either on the day of the fire or at any other time.
None ever imagined that something like this could happen, but are relieved an arrest has been made.
Kevin L. Prentiss of the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office said Saturday it appears the fire was deliberately set to cover up the killing.
The 54-year-old woman's body was found on the living room floor as crews extinguished a house fire Wednesday in the 18600 block of Silverleaf Place in Arlington, Prentiss said.
An autopsy was conducted later, and the Snohomish County Medical Examiner ruled the woman's death as a homicide caused by strangulation that took place before the fire.
Arlington police then asked for help from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit when it became apparent that they were dealing with a murder and arson.
Detectives later identified a 22-year-old suspect in the woman's death and the fire that followed. The suspect had rented an upstairs room at the woman's home.
On Friday at about 7 p.m., the suspect was arrested and booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of second-degree murder and first-degree arson.
Authorities were withholding the name of the victim until they could contact her next-of-kin, who live out of state. The name of the suspect also was not immediately released.
Sharlene Woods, who rented a downstairs room at the woman's home, stopped by the house on Saturday to pick up her personal belongings and spoke with KOMO News.
She said she was at work when the fire broke out and was absolutely stunned and saddened when she learned what happened.
"She was a delightful woman that always treated me kindly and treated others kindly, as far as I know," Woods said. "It'll be a loss. She loved animals and always had a great laugh."
Woods said she wasn't even aware that another renter lived at the home, and was even more shocked to learn he had been arrested as a suspect.
None of the woman's neighbors said they ever saw a fight or heard an argument at the home - either on the day of the fire or at any other time.
None ever imagined that something like this could happen, but are relieved an arrest has been made.
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