Blood found in home of missing couple believed to have been killed by tenant: police

News

By Olivia Terre

Large pools of blood were found at the home of a missing couple in Washington state, who police now believe were murdered by their disgruntled tenant – who “knew he was about to be expelled,” the victim’s sister told the Post.

Authorities found the blood when they showed up at the residence of Karen Koep and her husband Davido Lacey for a welfare check on Nov. 13, according to court documents released Monday, according to KOMO News.

It appears someone tried to clean up the blood, the outlet noted.

There was also a trail of blood leading to where the couple’s car was allegedly in the garage, the documents state – leading police to believe that Koep and Davido were shot before their bodies were loaded into the garage. the trunk of their own car.

However, their bodies have still not been found, KOMO News noted.

The tragic new revelations in the case come days after Timothy Burke, 45, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in connection with the couple’s disappearance.

He appeared in court for the first time Monday and is currently being held without bail after prosecutors argued he poses a flight risk and danger to the community, KING 5 reported.

Burke, of Olympia, was a tenant at Koep and Davido’s rental property at the time of the alleged murders – which Koep’s sister Pauline Dutton said may have played a role in the alleged crime.

“Apparently there were email exchanges between him and Davido. I think he knew he was about to be deported. He was getting really delusional,” Dutton told The Post on Tuesday.

“He thought Davido was poisoning the water on the property. This poor gentleman definitely had mental problems,” she added.

Koep, 63, and Davido, 68 – who went by one nickname – were reported missing on November 13 – but police now believe they were murdered three days earlier, Dutton said.

“Neighbors heard shotgun fire Friday night (November 10), it was a very stormy night,” she told the Post.

“They looked out the window… but there were a lot of pine cones falling that night, they didn’t think anything of it.”

Koep was a popular chiropractor in the area and the couple shared two adult sons.

“My poor nephews are just devastated and heartbroken. Both of their parents are gone,” Dutton said.

Police quickly focused on Burke when they realized Koep and Davido’s credit cards were being used after they disappeared, new court documents revealed, according to KING 5.

There was video surveillance of a suspect believed to be Burke making the transactions, and investigators initially arrested him for identity theft — only to be released a day later due to lack of probable cause, KING 5 said .

Police also found red stains, cartridges and a crate containing five .45-caliber shell casings in Koep’s car, which was discovered abandoned in Olympia the same day they disappeared, the media outlet said. original court file.

The cartridges were later matched to a registered pistol recovered by authorities from the suspect, KING 5 reported.

Koep and Davido were remembered by the community during a vigil outside Koep’s chiropractic office on Sunday, KOMO News reported.

“The influence and the legacy she leaves are incredible,” Ann Rettemier, a patient and friend of Koep, told the media.

“We are so supported by the outpouring from the community – friends, patients, telling us all these incredible stories of selfless acts, friendship, selfless love… all the things my sister has done for people” , Dutton told the Post.

“I think (Karen) is definitely one of God’s best angels and she’s already working with him for us, because that’s what she’s done here on earth,” she added .