Covington man accused of killing wife in staged home invasion

A Covington man allegedly stabbed his wife to death, staged a part of their house to look like a burglary scene, then called 911 to report someone had broken into their home Friday morning, according to court documents.

Kyle Cathcart, 41, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the homicide of his wife, identified in King County Superior Court documents as Jodi Cathcart. Police officers found him in Renton after he was publicly named as a suspect.

A judge found probable cause for first-degree murder during a first appearance hearing Wednesday afternoon, according to the King County prosecuting attorney's office.

According to court documents, King County sheriff's deputies responded to a Covington home Friday when Kyle Cathcart called 911 and said he and his wife had been stabbed in a home invasion. Jodi Cathcart was found in a bedroom and pronounced dead at the scene. Kyle Cathcart had eye injuries and superficial abdomen wounds and was taken to a hospital.

After he was released from the hospital, he told detectives someone in dark clothing had broken into their home and stabbed his wife, then poked him in the stomach with a knife, which appeared to be one of their kitchen knives. He reported he was concerned for his children's safety, so he chased the intruder, who then dropped the knife and ran outside.

Ring video footage reviewed by detectives showed a figure in dark clothing exiting the front door. A detective pointed out to Kyle Cathcart that the person in the video appeared to be the same height and weight as him, and there were no videos showing an intruder entering the home. At the time, he denied hurting his wife.

Investigators said they needed more time to follow up, and the husband was allowed to leave the interview. Near the scene, a detective found dark clothes in a garbage bag that appeared to belong to Jodi Cathcart, with blood on them.

Police noted Kyle Cathcart would have had the ability and time to re-enter the house through the garage before calling 911.

Investigators sought a warrant for Kyle Cathcart and arrested him in Renton. After another interview, police booked him into the King County Jail. He remained in custody Wednesday. Bail hadn't been set.

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