2 men found dead at Thurston County rest areas on Saturday have been identified

Update: Damon Claiborne, 54, suffered a sudden cardiac death caused by hypertensive cardiovascular disease, Coroner Gary Warnock shared on Wednesday. Luis Gutierrez-Ramirez, 63, died from complications of chronic heart failure. He, too, had hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Warnock labeled both deaths as “natural.”

Initial post: Two men were found dead at Thurston County Interstate 5 rest areas on Saturday, according to the Washington State Patrol and Thurston County Coroner’s Office.

About 1:30 p.m., State Patrol was dispatched to the Maytown rest area, which serves southbound I-5 traffic in the county.

A vehicle had been parked there for about a week before it was reported to State Patrol, Trooper Kameron Watts said Sunday.

Troopers ultimately found Damon Claiborne, 54. He is believed to be from the Salem, Oregon, area, according to the coroner’s office.

Four hours later, troopers were dispatched to the Scatter Creek rest area, which serves northbound I-5 traffic in the county.

There, Luis Gutierrez-Ramirez, 63, of Centralia had died. The man’s co-worker had found him, then called their employer who then called 911, Trooper Watts said.

Both deaths are believed not to be the result of foul play, according to the coroner’s office. Medical exams are set for Tuesday.

This story was originally published December 28, 2025 at 12:17 PM.