Murder suspect James Fryberg back in custody

TULALIP — Police on Friday found murder suspect James Fryberg hiding out in a wooded area on the Tulalip Indian Reservation.

Fryberg, 21, had been on the lam since Tuesday, when he failed to show up for a hearing in Snohomish County Superior Court. Police believe Fryberg robbed a Marysville pharmacy that same day, just hours after a judge signed the $1 million arrest warrant.

Marysville and Tulalip Tribal police on Thursday night developed information about his whereabouts.

They were told that Fryberg, carrying a tent, was dropped off near the Battle Creek Golf Course, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Halley Hupp said.

Police found a makeshift campsite near a wooded, unpopulated area off 19th Avenue NE, but didn’t find Fryberg. They called off the search when it became dark, Tulalip Tribal Deputy Police Chief Carlos Echevarria said.

They returned to the site Friday. Fryberg wasn’t there. Two man-trackers spotted Fryberg walking in an area used for horseback riding and off-road vehicles, Echevarria said. Fryberg was arrested and booked into the Snohomish County Jail.

Prosecutors allege that Fryberg is responsible for the death of 15-month-old Damoniko Ashby. Fryberg was watching the toddler while the boy’s mother was at work.

Fryberg told Marysville detectives he was taking a bath May 13 when the boy fell down some stairs. Medical investigators concluded that the boy’s injuries weren’t consistent with a fall.

Fryberg is charged with second-degree murder. He had been free on $100,000 bail.

Hupp on March 5 asked that Fryberg’s bail be revoked and reset at $1 million.

The deputy prosecutor said there was evidence Fryberg was contacting the boy’s mother and living with children.

The judge told Hupp she needed more proof. She continued the hearing until Tuesday to give detectives time to verify the information.

Fryberg didn’t show up Tuesday. Prosecutors also learned that he’d skipped a court hearing March 5 in district court.

A man matching Fryberg’s description robbed the Marysville Haggen pharmacy about 6 p.m. Tuesday. Hundreds of prescription painkillers were taken after the suspect told employees he was armed with a gun.

Witnesses later identified Fryberg in photo lineup, Marysville police Cmdr. Robb Lamoureux said.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com.

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