Jennifer Walstrand

From our sister site The Waterland Blog comes this report by Ralph Nichols about how Daniel Alexander Threadgill will face a minimum of 30 years in prison when he is sentenced for the brutal murder of Jennifer Walstrand in her Des Moines apartment Aug. 31, 2010.

Threadgill, 24, was convicted by a King County Superior Court jury Feb. 7 of first-degree murder for the stabbing death of Walstrand, who was 28.

Prosecutors told jurors that Walstrand, who had an extensive record of prostitution working as a “high-end” call girl, was stabbed at least 63 times even as she pleaded for her life.

They said she also suffered severe blunt-force trauma when Threadgill then stomped on her head because she was still breathing, inflicting additional brutal injuries.

Read the full story here.

Police say that Sarah Yarborough was last seen alive on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 14, 1991, leaving her residence on her way to Federal Way High School to participate in a Dance Team competition

Yarborough was found dead on the school campus later that morning.

Witnesses saw a suspect and two versions of a suspect composite sketch have been distributed over the years:

Click image to see larger version.

DNA evidence was recovered from the scene.

Recently the suspect DNA profile was sent to Colleen Fitzpatrick, PhD, president of Identifinders International, for examination. Indentifinders International specializes in Forensic Genealogy in which an unidentified suspect DNA profile can be examined with the use of genealogy databases in an effort to identify the family name of the suspect.

Based on the analysis done on the suspect DNA profile in this case it has been learned that the suspect is a member of the extended family of Robert Fuller, who arrived in Salem Massachusetts in the 1630s. Robert Fuller is related to two Fullers who arrived in America on the Mayflower. The suspect may have the last name of Fuller.

At the time of the crime the suspect was described as:

• White male
• 20’s
• 5’10”- 6’00” tall
• Shoulder length dirty blonde/light brown hair
• Medium build
• Wearing a trench coat and dark pants.

If you have any information related to this cold case please call the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311.

The Des Moines Police Department announced early Thursday (Dec. 8th) that they had made an arrest for the murder of Jayme Thomas.

“Through tips and leads from the community, the Des Moines Police Department’s Investigations Unit was able to identify several witnesses which lead to the identification of the one responsible for the Murder of Jayme Thomas and Assault with a Deadly Weapon on Scott Kennedy,” read an email.

Police say that Wednesday night (Dec. 7), along with the assistance of Valley SWAT, arrested a 29-year old Asian Male at his residence without incident. Coincidentally, Wednesday night was also when the ‘Justice for Jayme‘ fundraiser was held.

The suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Homicide and Investigation of Assault.

Jayme Thomas was shot and killed as she sat in the backseat of a vehicle and Scott Kennedy was shot standing outside of a vehicle while they in Redondo during the early morning of November 5, 2011 (read our coverage here).

The community is invited to attend a fundraiser Italian Dinner and Silent Auction to benefit the “Justice For Jayme” Memorial Fund on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Des Moines.

Nineteen year-old Jayme Thomas was shot and killed early Saturday morning, Nov. 5th in Redondo following an argument that escalated among two unidentified men (read our previous coverage of this tragic crime here).

Resurrection Lutheran Church is located at 134 S. 206th Street in Des Moines.

UPDATE 11/28/11: Tickets are available from the church office (M-F 9am-5pm) or at the door, and are $10 Adults, and FREE for ages 5 and under.

There will also be a silent auction with many great items up for bid.

The money raised from the sale of the tickets and silent auction will increase the reward amount, which is currently at $1,000, to make it more attractive for someone to step forward with information. This would be paid to anyone providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of whomever is responsible for her death – read more about that, along with photos of a ‘person of interest,’ here.

If you are unable to attend and would like to make a donation to the Fund, you may do so at any branch of Chase Bank.

As many of our Readers are aware, on Nov. 5, 2011, at 2:40 a.m., 19-year old Jayme Thomas was shot and killed as she sat in the backseat of a vehicle in the 800 block of Redondo Way South.

Anyone with information about this case who wishes to remain anonymous can get that information to Des Moines Police by calling Crime Stoppers at 206-243-2020, or toll-free at 1-800-Crime-13 (274-6313).

See the photos and full details here.

On Friday, June 24th, King County Prosecutors filed charges against Daniel Alexander Threadgill, 23, and Synae Araya McMillon-Cooper, 21, with ‘Murder First Degree’ for the alleged murder of Jennifer Walstrand in Des Moines in August, 2010 (download a PDF of the charging documents here).

Arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday, July 6 at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

Both defendants were arrested Tuesday, June 21st, and remain in jail, being held without bail.

The Seattle P-I is reporting:

McMillon-Cooper – also known as Araya McMillon – and Walstrand were both “high-end” call girls working for the same pimp. Investigators claim the McMillon-Cooper was jealous and angry with Walstrand, and conspired with Threadgill, a club promoter and Bellevue resident, to kill her.

Prosecutors contend McMillon-Cooper tackled Walstrand and looked on while Threadgill stabbed her repeatedly. Witnesses – who came forward months after the killing – told investigators McMillon-Cooper urged Threadgill on as a gravely-injured Walstrand begged for her life.

Writing the court, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Scott O’Toole described the attack as “the brutal and senseless murder of a woman who posed no threat to them.”

Read the P-I’s full report here.

Read more about this crime at our sister site, The Waterland Blog, here.

The jury returned its verdict after deliberating for one and a half days, before Judge Susan Craighead at the King County Courthouse.

Wynn’s first trial ended in a hung jury last December. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

As we’ve previously reported, Wynn is accused of murdering Bob Wykel in February, 1996. Wykel’s body has never been found, and his abandoned 1989 Mercedes Benz was discovered in a Burien Park and Ride in March, of 1996.

Robert J. Wykel

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Wykel was a dealer of vintage and exotic cars at the time of his disappearance. Foul play is suspected in his disappearance.

Here’s more info on the case from the prosecutor’s office:

• Mr. Wykel was reported missing by a friend on March 13, 1996 because he had not been seen or heard from since February 21, 1996.
• Mr. Wykel was known to travel via public transit to inspect or purchase vehicles and was known to carry large quantities of cash on him.
• Anyone who may have seen Robert Wykel may remember him by the immense jewelry he wore, but specifically by the abnormally large diamond ring he wore.
• Wynn’s ex-girlfriend received a necklace from him as a gift in 1996, the same year Wykel disappeared. The necklace has an unusual diamond. Wynn told her he found the gem at a bus stop in Burien, the same place where Wykel’s car was found abandoned, court documents said. When the two broke up, Wynn took back the diamond and sold it to his aunt. Investigators recovered the stone from Wynn’s aunt and had it appraised at $5,000. Records say that it had several chips and abrasions, similar to Wykel’s diamond.
• Mr. Wykel’s 1989 Mercedes Benz was discovered in a Burien Park N’ Ride on March 11, 1996.

Five years ago this Sunday, Feb. 6th, marks a very sad and tragic anniversary – that’s when the body of Nicole Pietz was found in a wooded area in Burien.

She was the victim of a homicide, and the case remains unsolved.

Nicole was last seen by her husband in Lynnwood on January 28, 2006.

Her car was found in the University District of Seattle about two weeks later.

There remains a $36,000 reward in the case.

In addition, Nicole’s mother has said the family will pay the legal costs of anyone who comes forward with information germane to the case, but wishes to use the services of an attorney.

The King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is still investigating this case, and would like anyone with information to call (206) 296-3311.

Here are photos of Nicole:

The King County Prosecutor’s Office announced that it is requesting a re-trial in the case of Myron C. Wynn, whose trial on charges of Murder First Degree ended in a hung jury last month.

Wynn is accused of murdering Bob Wykel in February, 1996. Wykel has never been found, and his abandoned 1989 Mercedes Benz was discovered in a Burien Park and Ride in March, of 1996.

The second trial is scheduled for Feb. 28 at the King County Courthouse.

Robert J. Wykel

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Wykel was a dealer of vintage and exotic cars at the time of his disappearance. Foul play is suspected in his disappearance.

Here’s more info on the case from the prosecutor’s office:

• Mr. Wykel was reported missing by a friend on March 13, 1996 because he had not been seen or heard from since February 21, 1996.
• Mr. Wykel was known to travel via public transit to inspect or purchase vehicles and was known to carry large quantities of cash on him.
• Anyone who may have seen Robert Wykel may remember him by the immense jewelry he wore, but specifically by the abnormally large diamond ring he wore.
• Wynn’s ex-girlfriend received a necklace from him as a gift in 1996, the same year Wykel disappeared. The necklace has an unusual diamond. Wynn told her he found the gem at a bus stop in Burien, the same place where Wykel’s car was found abandoned, court documents said. When the two broke up, Wynn took back the diamond and sold it to his aunt. Investigators recovered the stone from Wynn’s aunt and had it appraised at $5,000. Records say that it had several chips and abrasions, similar to Wykel’s diamond.
• Mr. Wykel’s 1989 Mercedes Benz was discovered in a Burien Park N’ Ride on March 11, 1996.

The King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is still seeking info on Wykel, so if you know anything you’re asked to call (206) 296-7530 [King County Sheriff's Office Case #96-082826].

The King County Sheriff’s Department announced Thursday (Dec. 23rd) that a skull found in an Auburn ravine on Tuesday (Dec. 21st) was positively identified as Rebecca “Becky” Marrero (pictured, left), very likely a victim of the so-called Green River Killer, Gary Ridgeway.

The remains were identified by Dr. Gary Bell, who performs forensic odontology for Medical Examiner’s Office and the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab.

Marrero was last seen on Dec. 3, 1982, when she left a motel room at S. 168th and Pacific Highway South in SeaTac. She was 20 years old at the time.

Marrero was reported missing to the Sheriff’s Office by her mother on July 20, 1984. Her disappearance was investigated by the Green River Task Force, and she was believed to be a Green River victim.

Ridgway was arrested on Nov. 30, 2001. Two years later he plead guilty to the murder of 48 women and was sentenced to 48 consecutive live terms. He was not charged in the Marrero case.

The remains of Marie Malvar were found on Sept. 28, 2003 in the same general area where Marrero was found. Malvar was last seen in 1983 at S. 216th and Pacific Highway South. Ridgway was convicted in the Malvar homicide.

Ridgway was questioned extensively in 2003 about Becky Marrero’s disappearance. However by policy, the Sheriff’s Office does not discuss what suspects say or don’t say during the investigation of open cases.