Arlington man charged in death of sister

EVERETT — An Arlington man was charged Friday with his sister’s murder, and police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of his elderly mother hours earlier.

David Thorsen, 50, has been in the Snohomish County Jail since June 10. He was arrested after a Snohomish County sheriff’s sergeant discovered the body of Karen Harris, 53, under a blanket in a field near her parents’ Arlington home.

Harris died of homicidal violence, specifically blunt-force injuries. Police believe Thorsen killed his older sister and then hauled her body out to the field with a riding lawn mower. Detectives found blood in the house and on the mower. They also discovered a pile of blood-spattered clothes. The plaid shirt and shorts appeared to be the same clothes that Thorsen was seen wearing June 8 in business surveillance footage, court papers said.

David Thorsen first called police about 5:45 a.m. June 8 when he reported finding his mother, 80, dead at the bottom of a staircase leading to the basement. While investigators were there Harris showed up. Deputies left the property just before 10 a.m., wrapping up their investigation.

Betty E. Thorsen’s death initially was not believed to be suspicious, but now is being reviewed by the county medical examiner. Findings are pending. Her injuries appear consistent with a fall, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Katie Wetmore wrote in charging papers.

Because of the suspicious circumstance surrounding the women’s deaths, homicide detectives also looked into the April 11 death of the suspect’s father. The King County medical examiner, however, called Jack Thorsen’s death an accident from “a presumed fall.” He was 84.

David Thorsen had been living with his mother. Police reportedly found a couple of letters in his room dated May 27 and addressed to his mother. One contained disparaging language and curse words directed at Betty Thorsen. In the letter, the suspect wrote that he hoped his mother perished, court papers said. The second letter appeared to be a suicide note in which David Thorsen spelled out who should get his property with directions that Harris not receive anything. That letter also contained disparaging remarks about his sister, Wetmore wrote.

His sister’s death came to the attention of police after her son reported her missing. He was worried when he hadn’t heard from his mother by the end of the night on June 8. He went to his grandparents’ house around 11 p.m. and found his uncle extremely drunk. He returned a couple of hours later and found his mother’s car parked on the property behind an outbuilding.

He also told police that he saw his uncle a few hours later riding on the lawn mower with a long tow strap attached.

Police came to the property to investigate the missing person report. Thorsen apparently was attempting to end his own life by breathing exhaust fumes from his car when a Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy approached him, court papers said.

Detectives later interviewed neighbors, who reported hearing a loud argument the day before Harris’ body was discovered. Witnesses reported hearing a woman yell “Don’t! Don’t!” Other neighbors reported hearing a screaming match between a man and a woman.

Investigators learned that several hours later Thorsen used his deceased mother’s bank card to withdraw $500 and purchase about $114 worth of groceries and alcohol from the Arlington Safeway.

Thorsen is being held on $1 million bail. He is expected to answer to the second-degree murder charge early next week.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@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.