Eatonville Murder Suspect Released; No Charges Filed

EATONVILLE, WA — A man who was arrested this past weekend on suspicion of stabbing and killing his brother-in-law was released from Pierce County jail Monday night while detectives continue to investigate and piece together what happened at the property outside Eatonville on July 20.

The stabbing death reportedly occurred at the suspect's home along 105th Avenue Court East in rural Pierce County. According to investigators, the 63-year-old stabbing suspect and his 56-year-old wife had allowed her brother to live in an RV on their property.

For reasons that remain unclear, the woman's brother, identified as 61-year-old Kevin McCoon, attacked his sister and severely beat her with a board, officials said.

When the woman's husband learned of what happened, he reportedly confronted McCoon and the two men began fighting.

During the altercation the man allegedly stabbed McCoon, killing him. The man was later arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, and his wife was taken to Madigan Army Medical Center.

Held throughout the weekend, but reportedly refusing to provide any information about what transpired, the suspect was released Monday night without being charged. His wife remains in hospital "in pretty bad shape," sheriff's officials told Patch.

Only the three people were at the property during the altercation, officials said, and without testimony from anyone involved, investigators are facing a challenge in bringing charges forward.

The suspect is not thought to be a danger to the general public, however, and the incident is considered isolated domestic violence, officials said. Both the suspect and his wife are retired U.S. military service members.

Investigators are still working the case.