Police say Machias killing wasn’t random

MACHIAS – Police investigating the murder of a woman whose body was found near the Pilchuck River said Wednesday that they do not believe the crime was random.

However, investigators will not say whether they believe the woman knew her killer.

“If we thought the community was in danger, we would let them know. We do not believe this is random,” Snohomish County sheriff’s spokeswoman Jan Jorgensen said.

No arrests have been made. Jorgensen said no suspects or motives have been identified.

The woman’s body was discovered Friday by detectives who were searching for Kelly Sarsten, 37, who was reported missing from her Machias home Thursday.

The sheriff’s office will not say if the body found near Sarsten’s home was that of the missing woman. Investigators are waiting until the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office completes its investigation, Jorgensen said.

The medical examiner finished an autopsy on the body Monday, but said it will be at least two weeks before it can identify the body. Medical investigators would not say why the identification was being delayed.

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

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