LYNNWOOD -- Reina Pederson called her son to say she would be home soon.
Pederson, 65, never arrived.
A construction crew discovered her body a week later at a job site near Lake Stevens. Some of her clothes were missing. The Lynnwood grandmother had been strangled.
Nearly three decades later, police are still searching for the killer.
Pederson's homicide is part of the state's first deck of cold-case playing cards. Thousands of the decks have been distributed in jails and prisons around the state. Snohomish County sheriff's detectives believe there could be inmates who have useful information about unsolved homicides and missing persons cases. A $1,000 reward is offered for tips that help solve the crimes.
Pederson is featured on the three of hearts.
She was last seen Jan. 14, 1980 leaving the Corner Tavern in Lynnwood with a man she just met at the bar, according to police. Pederson phoned her son, saying she planned to take a taxi home.
Her family reported her missing the next day.
Construction workers discovered her body July 22, 1980 behind a mound of dirt and a stump at a construction site at the dead end of 113th Street SE, off Davies Road near Lake Stevens.
Detectives were never able to identify the man Pederson met at the tavern. He introduced himself as "Paul" at the tavern and was seen playing pool using his own cue stick, sheriff's detective Jim Scharf said. He was described as a light-skinned black man, 25 to 30 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 175 pounds. He was wearing a brown leather jacket and glasses.
He and Pederson may have gone to the Pine Cone Cafe. Sheriff's detectives are interested in speaking to the man about where Pederson went when she left the tavern.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com.
About this series
Snohomish County sheriff's detectives created the state's first deck of cold-case playing cards. Each Sunday for a year, The Herald is publishing a story about a case featured on one of the cards. Go to www.heraldnet.com to see all the cards.
Anyone with information about unsolved homicides or missing persons cases is asked to call 800-222-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $1,000 is offered.
