Police search home of slain Bothell womans husband
Published 5:23 pm Friday, February 22, 2013
BOTHELL — Detectives on Friday searched a Bothell man’s home for potential evidence in the slaying of his estranged wife.
Susann Smith, 37, was found dead Feb. 12 at her home. Police found her front door unlocked, court papers show. Through outside windows they could see blood on the walls and floors.
Smith and her husband were going through a divorce and lived separately.
Bothell police want to talk to her husband about her death but aren’t calling him a suspect, Sgt. Cedric Collins said Friday
No arrests have been made, Collins said. It wasn’t clear Friday if the husband was at his home when the search warrant was served.
“At this point, we’re not providing any additional comments or details as we do not want to compromise the integrity of this active investigation,” Collins said.
Police were called to check on Susann Smith last week after she didn’t show up for work.
They found her body in the bath tub. Evidence at the scene indicated she was attacked in her bedroom and her body later was moved, according to court papers obtained by The Herald.
In the initial search warrants filed last week, police weren’t sure what weapon or weapons were used in the killing, court papers show.
They obtained a judge’s permission to seize, among other evidence, any items capable of inflicting either blunt-force or sharp-force trauma.
Investigators found a blood-smeared axe blade at the home. Police also seized knives found in the kitchen sink, as well as bloody clothing and bedding.
There were no obvious signs of sexual assault.
Smith was last seen alive at her church on Feb. 10. She worked for a Seattle tech company. Her employer described her as passionate, dedicated and creative. Her colleagues were heart-broken to hear of her death.
Court records show Susann Smith moved to the U.S. from Germany about eight years ago. She and her husband were in a dispute over child custody. They were last in court Jan. 25.
The children were with their father the weekend before Susann Smith’s death.
They were at school or day care when her body was found, according to court papers. They were taken into protective custody that day by the state.
Bothell police urge anyone with information to call 425-487-5551. Detectives don’t believe the killing was random.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com
