Timothy Burke: Suspect behind the disappearance of a Washington couple was a tenant they were about to throw out
OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON: The prime suspect behind the disappearance of a couple who went missing from their home and are feared to be dead was a tenant they were about to throw out, thier family has said.
Karen Koep and her husband, Davido, from Washington State, are reported missing for a week as officers work to find the whereabouts of the couple, The Sun reports.
However, police noted on Friday, November 17, that they are now believed to be dead. The statement came as a man in his 40s who was known to the couple was arrested on two counts of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the first degree.
What did the authorities say?
"Over the last several days, detectives have worked tirelessly investigating Davido and Karen Koep's disappearance," said Thurston County Sheriff's Office.
"Working with our local, state, and federal partners, we have gathered evidence to identify a suspect in their disappearance. Throughout the investigation, we have been in contact with the family of the missing couple, and sadly, we do not believe the couple survived the attack at their residence," they added.
Lieutenant Mike Brooks confirmed to CNN the identity of the man arrested as Timothy Burke on Monday, November 20. According to Karen's sister, Pauline Dutton, Burke worked at a rental property the couple owned in exchange for housing and was about to be evicted.
What did Timothy Burke's sister say?
Dutton said she wasn't aware of any previous incidents between Burke and the couple, but said she thought they were considering throwing him out from the rental property he was working on in exchange for staying there.
She said, "I believe that my brother-in-law was in the process of evicting Timothy. He gave him a lot of chances and was really kind to him."
What charges does Timothy Burke face?
Burke appeared in court on Monday, November 20, for a preliminary hearing where he was told of the first-degree murder and kidnapping charges against him. The Thurston County Sheriff's Office confirmed the Olympia man has been held without bail.
Police discovered the couple missing from their home at Lake Forest Development on November 13. They had been called to carry out a welfare check after Karen didn't show up for work. According to her sister, Karen worked at a chiropractor clinic and was always on time, so it was suspicious when she hadn't arrived at her usual time of 5 am.
Dutton added, "She was a workaholic and very dedicated to all her patients." She said that authorities had told her the couple's home, the crime scene, was brutal and violent.
According to court documents, officers at the scene found large pools of blood at the home along with signs that someone had tried to clean it up. She explained, "There was blood in the house, and they were gone."
Karen Koep's car was later found at a trailhead just a few miles from their home
Karen's car was later found at a trailhead just a few miles from their home just a day after officers turned up at their house to carry out the welfare check. Dutton said, "I believe this was definitely a dispute, a tenant dispute. They own property and he was a tenant."
"There was always some drama with the tenants", Dutton continued, adding "The suspect was discovered hiding along a trail not far from the crime scene."
According to local news outlets, there is a belief the couple were shot before their bodies were loaded into the boot of their car. KOMO News reported that court documents say deputies found a trail of blood in the couple's home leading to the garage which would be "consistent" with where the boot of the car would be."