Fugitive couple captured

  • By Diana Hefley and Rikki King Herald Writers
  • Wednesday, October 5, 2011 2:36pm
  • Local NewsEverett

Two people wanted in connection with a grisly killing in Everett were arrested Wednesday afternoon after they crossed paths with a California Highway Patrol officer in a rural area north of Sacramento, Calif.

An officer spotted a slain Oregon teenager’s missing vehicle in the Yuba City area. The driver and passenger were identified as David Joseph Pedersen, 31, and Holly Ann Grigsby, 24, according to the Oregon State Police.

The fugitives surrendered without incident. Officers found two loaded handguns and a rifle in the car, according to reports from The Appeal-Democrat in Marysville, Calif.

“It’s a huge relief to all of us that our two suspects are in custody,” Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz said.

Everett police have probable cause to arrest the pair in connection with the death of Leslie Pedersen, 69. She was found stabbed to death in her home Sept. 28. David Joseph Pedersen is the son of her husband, David “Red” Jones Pedersen, 56. He’s been missing for more than a week.

“We still need to remember that we have a missing person, Mr. Pedersen,” Goetz said. “While we have two people in custody, the case is far from over.”

Oregon investigators also want to talk to the pair about the death of Cody Myers, 19, of Lafayette, Ore. Myers was reported missing Sunday. He never returned home from a trip to Newport, Ore.

Pedersen and Grigsby were spotted earlier driving Myers’ car, a Plymouth Breeze in Oregon. Oregon investigators confirmed that Myers’ body was discovered Tuesday in a remote wooded area. He was a victim of homicide, Oregon State Police Lt. Gregg Hastings said at a press conference Wednesday night in Salem, Ore.

It’s unclear how long the teen had been dead, Hastings said.

The suspects were in Myers’ car when they were arrested in California on Wednesday afternoon.

California Highway Patrol officer Terry Uhrich stopped along a rural road to check on a woman standing outside the Plymouth Breeze. He asked the woman if she needed help. She told Uhrich she was just stretching. As the officer was pulling away he remembered hearing a broadcast alert about 90 minutes earlier about a stolen car out of Oregon. The officer turned around and confirmed the license plate with a dispatcher. He then followed the car and requested back-up. About two miles down the road, the Plymouth’s driver pulled over.

Uhrich pulled his gun and waited for more officers.

“It took about three minutes. It felt like 40,” said Uhrich, a Washington state native.

The couple inside the car chatted and kissed each other even as Uhrich held them at gunpoint, the officer said. Grigsby was driving and Pedersen was in the passenger’s seat. There was a loaded .22-caliber handgun at the woman’s feet.

“I fully expected a pursuit,” Uhrich said. “I also got worried when they started kissing. I wondered if they were saying their last good-byes.”

Pedersen and Grigsby were taken into custody at gunpoint.

Oregon and Washington detectives were expected to travel to California.

Meanwhile, detectives continue to search for Red Pedersen. The elder Pedersen hasn’t been seen or heard from since Sept. 26. Witnesses told police that the suspects had visited the Pedersens at their Everett mobile home the weekend before Leslie Pedersen’s body was discovered. According to court papers, Red Pedersen is a military veteran and has medical problems that would make it painful for him to ride in a car for long periods of time.

Police still are searching for the Everett couple’s 2010 Black Jeep Patriot, Washington license ABZ7996.

The male suspect, David “Joey” Pedersen, has a history of violent crime and sports “white power”-themed tattoos.

At the time of his arrest Pedersen was wearing a turtleneck, covering the “SWP” tattooed on his neck. He also wore a bandage on his cheek that covered another tattoo, The Appeal-Democrat reported.

Grigsby apparently had dyed her hair.

Pedersen served time in federal prison for threatening a judge and has multiple felony assault convictions, one of which was against a police officer.

Pedersen also is a mixed martial arts fighter who has been defeated in each of his three professional bouts. His last known address was in Oregon.

Grigsby’s father, Fred Grigsby, told the Associated Press that his daughter has a history of drug problems and had been involved with white supremacists. She also has served time in prison.

Police say Grigsby was spotted Sunday at an Oregon convenience store attempting to use Leslie Pedersen’s stolen credit card.

Investigators were tracking the pair based on their attempted use of the stolen credit cards. That’s how California officers knew to be looking for the fugitives and the car they are believed to have taken from the slain Oregon teen.

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

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide. (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

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.