Everett man arrested after slaying

EVERETT — An Everett man was arrested in California Wednesday in connection with the slaying of Angela Denise Beery.

Beery, 36, of Seattle, was found wrapped up in a sleeping bag alongside a road near Paine Field on Sunday. Her throat had been cut.

The man, 25, was arrested in the San Francisco Bay area Wednesday afternoon, Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz said.

Beery moved to Seattle recently. Her family and friends were shocked by the news of her death.

“I would like people to know that she was a real person, not just someone disposed of in such a despicable manner,” said her sister, Heather Farner of Las Vegas.

The break in the case came Tuesday, when the suspect’s father called Everett police to say that he hadn’t heard from his son for several days. The suspect reportedly hadn’t shown up for work and hadn’t talked with his father for some time, which was unusual, Goetz said. The suspect also reportedly sent suicidal text messages to a friend.

Officers found the suspect’s apartment empty when they went there to check. Police later learned he and Beery were seen together in public having drinks Saturday evening, Goetz said.

Detectives served a search warrant at the man’s apartment, in the 9900 block of 12th Avenue W. They found evidence they believe links the man to the killing, Goetz said. He didn’t say what was found at the apartment. Detectives believe they have enough evidence to hold the man for investigation of first-degree murder, Goetz said. No motive has been established.

No date has been set for when he will be returned to Everett. It could be weeks, Goetz said.

Beery loved life and enjoyed the little things, like the black beret she was wearing in a recent photo posted on Facebook, her sister said. She was a mother of two and had served in the U.S. Army.

The sisters talked nearly every day, Farner said. “She was there to share joys and sorrows,” she said.

Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.