Suspects in 2017 Seabeck quadruple murders make first court appearance, denied bail

Three men suspected in the deaths of four people in Seabeck in 2017 made their first appearance in a Kitsap County courthouse on Tuesday.

The men - 43-year-old Danie J. Kelly, Jr. from Bremerton, 50-year-old Robert James Watson from Gig Harbor and 49-year-old Johnny James Watson from Bremerton - all pleaded not guilty.

A judge denied bail.

A task force with the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office arrested the three men in connection to the quadruple homicide of a Seabeck family in 2017 on Monday.

According to Kitsap County investigators, they believe the murders were carried out by members and associates of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club. However, investigators have yet to confirm if the three men have links to the organization.

All three men were booked into the Kitsap County Jail on 16 different felony charges for each person, including aggravated murder, arson and burglary.

Deputies responding to a report of “something violent” at a Seabeck home in February 2017 couldn’t immediately go inside because the house was on fire.

Once the fire was out, investigators found the bodies of three people inside.

A fourth body was later found in a burned truck in Mason County.

Hunter E. Schaap, 16; Johnathon F. Higgins, 16; Christale Lynn Careaga, 37; and John Careaga, 43, all died of homicidal violence.

A trial date has been set for Aug. 1.

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