Remains found in Olympia near I-5; alleged killer is in jail

A man is being held on suspicion of second-degree murder after Olympia police found what appeared to be charred human remains near a transient camp.

A tip led police to a camp in a wooded area in the 900 block of Devoe Street near Interstate 5, said Laura Wohl, spokeswoman for the Police Department.

Investigators found the remains in a 50-gallon burn barrel Tuesday night, said Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock.

The investigation led to the arrest of a 19-year-old transient. He might have stayed at the camp, Wohl said.

Police monitored the scene overnight. Washington State Patrol investigators, including a bomb squad, assisted Wednesday.

“Without disturbing the contents of the barrel, they will do imaging from the outside,” Warnock said.

State Patrol investigators were taking X-rays of the barrel Wednesday, Warnock said.

He said he will empty and go through the contents of the barrel today.

Chelsea Krotzer: 360-754-5476
ckrotzer@theolympian.com
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