Hot sauce may have blinded Monroe woman before death

EVERETT — A Monroe woman may have had hot sauce thrown in her eyes before being strangled to death last month inside her downtown apartment.

Investigators found hot sauce on Angela Pettifer’s face and hair, according to an affidavit filed Monday in Everett District Court. Hot sauce also was found on the mattress near Pettifer’s head and on the floor. The sauce may been used as a blinding agent, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Coleen St. Clair said Monday.

Investigators found a broken glass hot sauce bottle in the bedroom. They say it is the same brand of hot sauce discovered in the Michael Benjamin’s second-floor business suite at the Savoy, which is a mixed-use building with businesses at the lower levels and apartments above.

Benjamin, 45, was arrested Friday in Seattle for investigation of second-degree murder.

He made a brief appearance Monday in Everett District Court.

Pettifer, 36, had been out drinking with her father Aug. 14. The two became separated and he took a cab home. A couple saw Pettifer outside her apartment building as she was trying to find her building key. The couple tried to help her and told police that Benjamin offered take her up to her apartment, police said.

He claimed to be “unofficial security” for the building and helped the couple get Pettifer to her apartment, Monroe Detective Barry Hatch wrote in an affidavit. Once Pettifer was inside, Benjamin and the couple left.

A different witness told police she saw Benjamin about two hours later coming from the third floor to the second floor, where his business suite is located. He was sweating profusely, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Coleen St. Clair said. The witness commented about the hot weather.

She heard Benjamin say something like, “Well, it’s an awful night to have sex,” Hatch wrote.

Police contacted Benjamin, a self-employed handyman, during the beginning of their investigation. He was accompanied by his attorney and provided two tape-recorded statements. He allegedly told police that he didn’t know Pettifer, never entered her apartment that night and didn’t touch her, St. Clair said.

Investigators said they found genetic evidence on Pettifer’s chest that matches Benjamin’s DNA profile.

His attorney, Alan Singer, argued Monday that there wasn’t probable cause to hold his client for investigation of murder. He said the evidence police cited in the affidavit doesn’t prove that Benjamin is responsible for Pettifer’s death.

“They’re making a whole lot of assumptions because they’re having a hard time putting things together,” Singer said.

Singer represented Benjamin in 2005 after three girls complained that Benjamin touched them inappropriately. Benjamin pleaded guilty to three counts of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. He was required to register as a sex offender.

Everett District Court Judge Roger Fisher on Monday said there was probable cause to arrest Benjamin and ordered him held on $1 million bail.

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.