Man suspected of killing his ex-wife in Bonney Lake allegedly confessed in text messages

A 53-year-old man suspected of killing his ex-wife in Bonney Lake was arrested at a gas station and booked in jail Friday following a statewide alert for him and his vehicle, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.

The man, who’s name was not released, was taken into custody at 6:36 p.m. by Auburn police.

Three hours earlier, a caller alerted the Sheriff’s Department to text messages they had received from their father, which said that he had killed their mother, the department said on Facebook.

Deputies conducted a welfare check at a home in Rhododendron Park, where they found a 53-year-old woman dead, the department said.

A statewide advisory was issued for the man and his vehicle, urging law enforcement to be on the lookout, before he was ultimately apprehended at a gas station in Auburn.

Detectives and forensic investigators served a warrant at the Bonney Lake home and will also serve a warrant on the suspect’s vehicle, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

This story was originally published July 6, 2024 at 10:41 AM.

Shea Johnson

The News Tribune

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Shea Johnson is an investigative reporter who joined The News Tribune in 2022. He covers broad subject matters, including civil courts. His work was recognized in 2023 and 2024 by the Society of Professional Journalists Western Washington Chapter. He previously covered city and county governments in Las Vegas and Southern California. He received his bachelor’s degree from Cal State San Bernardino. Support my work with a digital subscription