The bodies of the missing couple, Davido and Karen Koep, were found by two civilians on the off Stedman Road SE in Joint Base Lewis McChord in the afternoon of December 2.
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office and Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) Police Department responded to the scene and found a body.
Responding authorities continued checking the area and found another body.
TCSO Sheriff Sanders held a press conference the same day to provide media information on the case.
Law enforcement are confident that the bodies found are that of the missing couple, Davido and Karen Koep.
“The confirmation will come from our partners over at the coroner’s office, but we are reasonably certain at this point in time that these are our victims,” said Sheriff Sanders.
Last November 13, TCSO deputies conducted a welfare check in David and Karen’s home, after one was reported to authorities for failing to report to work.
Responding deputies found blood and other evidence inside the victims’ home and immediately contacted Washington State Crime lab to examine the crime scene.
“Based on the evidence found on the scene, the amount of blood that was located, and number of things, it was determined that Karen and Davido were both missing and it was unlikely they survived their attacks,” Sheriff Sanders stated.
A potential suspect was located on the same day of the missing persons report.
“The suspect was arrested for I.D. theft for having one of the victim’s credit cards,” Sheriff Sanders said, adding that the suspect was later on released on that probable cause.
On November 17, after an intensive investigation, the same suspect was arrested for first-degree kidnapping and first-degree murder.
Sheriff Sanders revealed that the suspect is living as a tenant in one of the couple’s property but the cause of death and motive of the crime were not yet determined.
Authorities are continuing their investigation, conducting interviews with the suspect and people with information, and gathering evidence to shed light on this gruesome crime.
Expect that in a week, the coroner’s office will be able to process everything and give authorities full evaluation.
“What I will tell you is that this case did involve shell casings and firearms so that’s going to be a part of this investigation, but ultimately we will refer that to the coroner’s office who is in charge and will determine the cause of death,” Sheriff Sanders announced.
The suspect is currently in Thurston County Jail on no bail.
TCSO has already informed the family of the victims, “they were grateful for our efforts to recover Karen and Davido. We appreciate the citizen for reporting this because it sped up things a little bit for us,” Sheriff Sanders stated.
TCSO also thanked JBLM police and the FBI for their assistance on the case.
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