Woman found fatally shot in University Place has been identified by medical examiner
A Bonney Lake woman who was found fatally shot at her child’s father’s apartment complex has been identified, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Kayla Vallee, 40, died from multiple gunshot wounds on Dec. 9 near the 7300 block of 56th Street Court West in University Place. Her manner of death was listed as a homicide, a news release said.
Vallee was initially thought to be missing. Vallee’s parents requested a welfare check in Buckley because they could not reach her, a previous News Tribune story reported.
“The caller stated their daughter left that morning to pick up her child in common from his father in University Place,” said sheriff’s spokesperson Darren Moss. “Instead of their daughter returning, the child’s father arrived at their house and dropped off the son.”
Deputies drove to the father’s apartment complex in University Place. Vallee’s vehicle was found in the parking lot. After entering the complex, they found Vallee who had an apparent gunshot wound, the story reported.
Deputies later found the 42-year-old man when a 911 call alerted them to a suspicious vehicle parked on a trail in Buckley. The vehicle was registered to the suspect. Law enforcement surrounded the vehicle and began negotiating with the suspect. The hour-long standoff ended with a stun gun shot. Deputies arrested the man, and he was taken to the hospital.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the suspect was still in the hospital, Moss said.
This story was originally published December 12, 2023 at 2:16 PM.
