Three found dead Saturday morning in west Olympia have been identified
The three people found dead from apparent gunshot wounds Saturday morning in west Olympia have been identified, the Thurston County Coroner said Tuesday.
They are Paula Victor-Lopez, 79; Carlos Lopez-Estrada, 70; and Michelle Courts, 66.
Carlos and Paula were husband and wife, while Michelle was a friend of Paula’s, Coroner Gary Warnock said Tuesday.
All three were set to be examined today (Tuesday), he said.
About 10:40 a.m. Saturday, Olympia police were dispatched to a residence in the 2300 block of 19th Court Northwest after a report of arguing followed by the sound of gunfire.
Police arrived to find the three dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Two people were inside the residence and the third person was outside it, Warnock previously told The Olympian.
The police investigation is pointing to a murder-suicide, although detectives continue to work with the county coroner and a Washington State Patrol forensics crime scene team to get a clearer picture of the incident, Olympia police Lt. Paul Lower said Tuesday.
Police are still working to determine what happened, he said.
Lower reiterated that there are no suspects and there is no threat to the community.
This story was originally published February 10, 2026 at 10:56 AM.
