Murder victim Wendi Traynor’s father, Jerry Traynor, says he isn't seeking revenge on his daughter’s killer because it won't bring his daughter back. The prime suspect in her murder is her boyfriend, 27-year-old Joshua Kioni Ellis, but Jerry Traynor says if Ellis did indeed kill her, he just has one question: "Why?"
"It's every parent's nightmare," he said.
Scroll down to continue reading
Trending headlines
- Lake Stevens family feels gravesite of veteran son is being disrespected
- Renton school video mocking slavery goes viral; district investigating
- Woman dying of cancer saved thanks to her ex-husband's new wife
- Plane had to return to SeaTac after bird strike
- Photos: Veterans Day 2017
The nightmare Jerry Traynor is enduring began Friday afternoon when he discovered his daughter’s body.
"I hadn't heard from her in several days. And it was very unlike her to not contact me at least via text."
Traynor said he, her uncle and aunt were concerned about her welfare and went to her apartment in Milton. They found Wendi’s body near the door.
"She appeared to be dead for awhile," he said. "We haven't done the autopsy yet. But I'm going to guess it was a shotgun or a shot to the head."
A neighbor took a video of Milton Police breaking into the Surprise Lake Village apartments where Wendi lived. Traynor says they feared Ellis was still inside, but he was not there. Ellis turned himself into police on Sunday.
"I thought she was a little bit afraid of him," Traynor said of his daughter. "She wanted to get away."
Wendi Traynor graduated from Eastside Catholic High School and Central Washington University. She was between jobs but hoped to work in the criminal justice system.
"She was beautiful. She was wonderful. She had an infectious laugh and a great sense of humor," Traynor said. "She was sassy, witty. I'm just going to miss giving her a hug when she comes over."
Wendi Traynor was 25-years-old when she died. The autopsy is set for early this week. Ellis is expected to be in court on Monday.
Cox Media Group
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/YVQ4NBKJFRFTJLIM2BT7G564AA.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/MHPEQTFEYRDJXKLQM7QTVD3I2U.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/R5NHABWRABG2FEIB577XL3KKYU.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/SEZROJLHYBH3HL2NO2IOWXOMDA.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/VCN2YGJSQRELHGHOOZHNKYG33Q.jpg)