TULALIP — Martin Williams was asleep when the fire broke out in his Tulalip home.
Neighbors spotted the flames shooting from the old wood-frame house. They broke out a window to try to reach Williams.
There was too much smoke. The unrelenting heat and flames drove rescuers back.
Williams, 87, a Tulalip Tribal elder, died in the fire.
Investigators later determined that someone intentionally set the fire on the back porch of the house. Williams’ death was ruled a homicide.
No one has ever been arrested for setting the 1987 fire or killing Williams.
The former Tulalip leader is part of the state’s first deck of cold-case playing cards. He is featured on the Three of Clubs.
Snohomish County sheriff’s detectives created the playing cards in hopes of soliciting new tips about unsolved homicides and missing persons cases that date back to the 1970s. The cards have been distributed in jails and prisons around the state and inmates are offered a reward for information leading to an arrest in the unsolved cases.
Detectives in Florida have made a handful of arrests using tips that came from inmates who were compelled to call after seeing cold-case information on playing cards.
Williams is one of two people featured in the Snohomish County cards who died in intentionally-set fires.
His granddaughter escaped the blaze with her infant son in her arms. She broke out a bedroom window and jumped to the ground. She suffered cuts. The boy had burns and cuts.
Williams died of smoke inhalation.
Family said that his life was marked by service to his people, helping shape the Tulalips’ future.
He was one of the first Indians in the area to graduate from public school, earning a diploma from Marysville High School. He later served on the district’s school board.
Williams also was on the Tulalip Board of Directors at a time when the Tribes were establishing their own government. He worked for 33 years with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
About this series
Anyone with information about unsolved homicides or missing persons cases is asked to call 800-222-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $1,000 is offered.
Tips also can be left on the sheriff’s tip line at 425-388-3845. Callers may remain anonymous, although tips have been more successful when callers speak with detectives, police said.
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