DARRINGTON — A former Darrington man who spent nearly 18 years in prison for attempted murder is in the wind.
Charles Coggins, 60, was released from prison in April 2016 after serving his sentence. Law enforcement hasn’t heard from him since.
Coggins was sent to prison after he attempted to kill his former girlfriend. The couple dated years ago and when they separated, the woman asked a judge for a protection order, according to court records. She wanted Coggins to stay away from her.
In March 1998, a friend called the woman at her house in the Darrington area. She answered and then realized the phone in the front room had not rung. The line was cut.
Coggins walked into her bedroom holding a kitchen knife. He said he was going to kill her, according to a probable cause affidavit.
He cut her throat. She fought back and escaped, running to a neighbor’s house for help.
Coggins was sentenced to 19½ years in prison for attempted first-degree murder, said Jeremy Barclay, a spokesman with the state Department of Corrections. He was released last year into Kitsap County on community supervision, meaning he was required to check in with the state Department of Corrections periodically.
“That is where he absconded. He disappeared,” Barclay said.
Coggins skipped a regular visit, and has been missing for more than a year. There is a warrant for his arrest.
The Department of Corrections has visited his home and contacted his family. Barclay said officers investigated leads in Snohomish County.
Coggins’ former girlfriend obtained a second, and permanent, protection order in 2015, according to court records. She also asked a judge to order Coggins to stay out of Snohomish County. Her request wasn’t granted.
Anyone who sees Coggins is asked to call 911. People with information about his whereabouts can contact the Department of Corrections at 866-359-1939.
Caitlin Tompkins: 425-339-3192; ctompkins@heraldnet.com.
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