Centralia house sitter accused of theft while chickens die on watch

Last December, a Centralia woman returned home from a Thanksgiving vacation to find two of her chickens had died.

She soon discovered her wedding ring, her husband's ring, three gold coins and five silver coins were missing.

On Sunday, Heather C. Tempest was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for suspected theft and burglary. The 45-year-old Ocean Shores woman was charged a day later.

According to court documents, Tempest had been hired as the victim's house sitter.

Tempest made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Monday to face one count each of residential burglary and first-degree theft, both Class B felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

A judge set bail at $10,000 cash or bond. As part of her release conditions, Tempest must have her existing warrant in Aberdeen Municipal Court quashed within 30 days.

Court documents indicate a second suspect, Keegan Gendreau, has also been charged with identical crimes. A judge issued a warrant for his arrest on Monday.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Tempest and Gendreau were linked to the alleged thefts after their fingerprints were found on a lock box that once held the gold and silver coins valued at over $5,000.

The victim told the investigating Lewis County Sheriff's Office deputy that she'd contacted Tempest through Facebook Marketplace and hired her to house-sit her home for nine days. The victim said Tempest's niece was the only other person she'd agreed to allow in the home.

When she returned home on Dec. 3, 2025, the victim found Tempest with an adult female. Despite the breach in agreement, she paid Tempest $500 for her services.

Upon searching the house, the victim reportedly "found two dead chickens and several damaged items," according to the affidavit.

Tempest was hired to take care of her animals, the victim said.

The victim then noticed the missing items, along with a rifle and shotgun that had apparently been moved and touched.

In January, the victim identified Tempest in a photo lineup, according to the affidavit. The victim also told the deputy that she'd texted Tempest asking her to return a stolen chainsaw.

The chainsaw was returned shortly after she sent the text, the victim reportedly said.

After Tempest and Gendreau's prints turned up, the victim confirmed with prosecutors that she did not know Gendreau and had not given him permission to be in her home.

Tempest and Gendreau are Facebook friends, according to the affidavit.

Tempest was scheduled for an arraignment on Thursday. Gendreau remains at large.

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