Homeowner arrested after man found murdered inside Yelm house

YELM, Wash. — Deputies from the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) arrested a homeowner after a man was found dead inside the suspect’s home.

Around 8 a.m. on Sunday, deputies answered a 911 call about a suspicious circumstance at a home on 153rd Avenue Southeast near Lawrence Lake in Yelm.

According to TCSO, when deputies arrived they were told that a second person was inside the house. Upon entering the home, deputies found a man dead on the floor.

Deputies said no one else was inside the home at the time.

The dead man is believed to be from Pierce County and didn’t live in the home, deputies said.

TCSO detectives arrived to investigate and found enough evidence to arrest the homeowner.

Investigators do not believe the man was a guest at the home.

The homeowner was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder and was taken to Thurston County Jail.

We spoke with people in the neighborhood who know the homeowner who said they can’t believe this happened.

“A couple of deputies came knocking on my door and started asking me several questions,” said Nancy Wachter, who lives across the street. “I mean, I’ve never heard of any crime in here.”

Deputies haven’t released how the man died.

“Hopefully the true story will come out,” said Wachter.

Detectives urge anyone with information to call the sheriff’s office at 360-704-2740 or email detectives@co.thurston.wa.us.

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