Suspect In Skykomish Killing Arrested In California

SKYKOMISH, WA — A 32-year-old man was arrested at a California hotel over the weekend, six days after the body of Snohomish County man was found in Skykomish. The victim, identified as 34-year-old Brandt Stewart, was found on a logging road Monday, Dec. 23. The King County Medical Examiner's Office determined he had died from homicidal violence.

The King County Sheriff's Office said major crimes detectives identified a suspect in the man's killing and learned he had left Washington state for Red Bluff, California. On Sunday, investigators drove to California and arrested the man as he left a hotel. He was booked into jail in California pending extradition back to Washington.

"Despite limited resources in our Major Crimes Unit, our detectives worked tirelessly to identify and arrest a suspect in this case in just six days," Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht said in a news release. "I am proud of their work and grateful for their incredible efforts to seek justice for Mr. Stewart's family."

More information on the case is likely to be released in court documents after the suspect makes a first appearance.