Sex offender found slain in Marysville

MARYSVILLE — Police in Marysville are investigating the death of an 82-year-old man who was found early Friday morning in his ransacked travel trailer.

“What we have is a homicide investigation,” Marysville police Cmdr. Robb Lamoureux said.

A family member discovered the man when he went to check on him early Friday. By early afternoon, police were asking for the public’s help in locating the slain man’s 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. The champagne-colored pickup truck, license B03681A, is believed to have been stolen.

“We are considering the occupants as being armed and dangerous and ask that the public do not try to intervene. We simply want them to call 911 to report the location of the vehicle,” Lamoureux said.

Detectives were called to a home in the 9800 block of State Avenue about 3 a.m. Friday.

The first officers to the scene quickly determined the death was a likely homicide and called for detectives, Lamoureux said.

Police were not releasing the man’s name pending notification of family and confirmation of identity by the Snohomish County medical examiner.

Late in the day they confirmed that the victim was a registered sex offender.

An 82-year-old man with convictions for statutory rape and indecent liberties was registered as living in the neighborhood where the homicide occurred.

According to the sex offender registry maintained by the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, the man had convictions in the early 1980s for offenses against girls ages 8 to 14. While in prison, he was determined not to be a good candidate for sex offender treatment.

Detectives obtained a search warrant to enter the slain man’s house and gather evidence.

“His trailer was ransacked, and it didn’t appear like there was forced entry,” Lamoureux said. “The family members said he was very neat. He kept it very tidy.”

Police were able to see the victim from the entrance to his home.

“That’s how we were able to determine that it is likely a homicide,” Lamoureux said.

Crime scene technicians from the Washington State Patrol were assisting Marysville police in gathering evidence.

It’s unclear when the man died. His family had not had contact with him for a couple of days.

The man lived in the Brookside Mobile RV Park for a few years, a neighbor said. The location is sandwiched between a supermarket on the east side of State Avenue and railroad tracks to the west.

Police set up orange traffic cones across the private 5 mph road that winds through the park.

John Giron, 70, has lived in the mobile home park since 2000.

He said the park once was designated for retirees, but has been opened to families in recent years.

With an older population, it has not been unusual for aid cars to be called to the neighborhood.

Waking up to police cars was surprising, Giron said.

“It has always been low-key,” he said.

He said he saw the man who was killed just about every day, but didn’t know him by name.

The victim had two pickup trucks and he washed them often, Giron said. He was surprised to learn the man’s age.

“I knew he was an elderly person, but he didn’t look that old,” Giron said. “He’s pretty active.”

People on their way to work along State Avenue whizzed by the crime scene.

A few people stood on the sidewalk wondering why someone would hurt somebody so elderly.

John Kearns was out riding his scooter. He said the victim’s age meant he was particularly vulnerable.

“It’s sad,” he said. “You can’t even truly defend yourself. I can’t believe someone would do that.”

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.