Few clues one year after Everett slaying

EVERETT — Julia Randolph’s young life was taken from her in a south Everett parking lot on Sept. 29, 2012.

A year later, the search for her killer continues. The case needs clues.

Snohomish County sheriff’s major crimes detective Brad Pince hopes additional witnesses will come forward. Pince wants to speak with anyone who may have known Randolph, who may have seen her in the days before she died, or who has heard people talk about the killing.

“It’s the right thing to do,” Pince said. “We have an unsolved homicide. She has family and friends who need to have some answers as to what happened and why.”

Investigators believe Randolph, 24, was killed between midnight and 7 a.m. Her body was found in the parking lot of the La Palmera Restaurant at the intersection of Highway 99 and Center Road, just southeast of Everett city limits. She died from blunt-force injuries to the head.

The sheriff’s office has declined to release further information about the circumstances of the killing to protect the ongoing investigation.

It’s unknown if Randolph knew the suspect, Pince said. He hasn’t ruled out anyone.

Detectives also compiled video surveillance footage from surrounding businesses around the time of Randolph’s death. The available footage was grainy but shows a white sedan near the crime scene between about 3 and 4 a.m. That footage is posted online at www.youtube.com/SnoCoSheriff.

The car is believed to be a mid-1990s Nissan Altima or something similar. It has black side mirrors and a sun roof. Police want to find the car and its driver.

“Our goal is to solve all of our homicides,” Pince said. “It is important to the public. It’s important to the family and to the friends. That’s why society has us do what we do.”

Randolph’s family has asked for privacy since her death. She spent much of her youth in Everett and attended local schools. Court records show she struggled as an adult.

An obituary for Randolph ran in The Herald last year. In it, she was described as a free spirit who liked animals and the outdoors. It said she was intelligent, kind and big-hearted, and that she always will be loved and missed.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

Tips sought

Anyone with information about the Sept. 29, 2012, killing of Julia Randolph, 24, in the 1600 block of Center Road is asked to call detectives at 425-388-3845. Tips can be anonymous.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

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.