WHIDBEY ISLAND – A former beauty pageant contestant has caught the attention of detectives investigating the murder of a former Island County man.
Detectives have interviewed Peggy S. Thomas in connection with the shooting death of Russel Douglas on Dec. 26, 2003.
Thomas, 39, and James Huden, 51, are thought to have knowledge that could help police solve the murder, Island County Sheriff Mike Hawley said.
Police would not say if the two are suspects. No one has been arrested.
Detectives want to hear from anyone who might have seen Thomas or Huden on Whidbey Island or Washington in the past year, Hawley said.
Either one might have been driving Thomas’ 1992 dark green Lexus LS400 with a personalized Nevada license plate, “FIRYRED.”
A couple found Douglas, 31, inside his yellow 2002 Geo Tracker. The vehicle was backed into a driveway leading to a cabin off Wahl Road.
Douglas had moved to Renton from south Whidbey Island but frequently returned to visit his two children, who lived with his estranged wife.
He stayed with his family over the holiday weekend. He left the house the morning after Christmas to run some errands.
Douglas was found with a single gunshot wound to the head. Police did not find the gun but found a shell casing.
Hawley would not say what led detectives to Thomas and Huden.
The two, who dated sometime in the summer or fall of 2002, were longtime residents of Whidbey Island and continue to have connections in Island County and the Everett area.
Thomas competed in the Mrs. Washington contest in the late 1990s. She represented the state in the Ms. U.S. Continental in 2000 in Las Vegas.
Before moving to Nevada, Thomas worked as a hairdresser on Whidbey Island, including the salon owned by Douglas’ wife.
Detectives searched Thomas’ home in Henderson, Nev., two weeks ago and recovered computer, bank and communication records
Police interviewed Huden at his Punta Gorda, Fla., home during the same time. Detectives plan to return to Florida once the damage caused by Hurricane Charley there has been repaired.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
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