Reward being offered for information on slaying of Seabeck family

SEABECK, Wash. — UPDATE:  Officials with the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office said a $4,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to finding the person or persons who killed the Careaga family in Seabeck last January.

Crime Stoppers is offering the reward.

In a news briefing, law officials named 39-year-old Danny Kelly Junior, who is seen in a Target surveillance video and may be connected to the case, as a person of interest.

In the Target surveillance video, Kelly is reported to be wearing clothing associated with the Bandidos Motorcycle Club.

Officials also reported they have questioned Kelly and are still investigating. They have also questioned other people, some who are known associates of Kelly and think they could be connected to the case and may release their identity later.

Authorities said they believe some of the people interviewed in the case have provided false or misleading information.

Detectives also reported they will provide an extended version of the 911 call from 16-year-old Hunter Schapp. He was reported to have called 911 and had been shot, and said his family members had been shot and were dead.

Kitsap County detectives are asking anyone with information about the murders to call them at 360-337-5636, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

EARLIER STORY: New information about the slaying of a family that happened a year ago in Kitsap County is expected to be released Thursday.

Kitsap County detectives said they will be able to release new video and more of the 911 calls surrounding the Careaga family's killing as they try to find a killer or killers.

Investigators reported that they will release more of the calls made by 16-year-old Hunter Schaap, who was found dead along with two other family members at their Seabeck home on a Saturday. The next day, the body of the homeowner, 43-year-old John Careaga, was found 15 miles away in Mason County in a burned-out truck.

Police found the bodies of Schaap, 43-year-old Christale Lynn Careaga and Johnathan Higgins inside their burning home and John at a remote farm.

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John was last seen on surveillance footage from a convenience store in Seabeck two days before he was found dead.

The manager of the store told KIRO 7 John had purchased a pack of cigarettes. Another store employee said he was a frequent customer and someone everyone knew and loved.

Detectives are also working off clues from surveillance video from a Target store in Silverdale showing a man believed to have some connection to the case.

Law enforcement also spotted a silver four-door sedan driving away from the Target store that may be connected. They are looking for individuals who may be associated or had conversations or interactions with the family.

At the time of the killings, investigators said they found about $60,000 in cash and 33 mature marijuana plants at the property.

The Kitsap Sun reports that court records say more than $50,000 was found in a safe under the master bedroom bed and $7,000 was found in a bank bag in a dresser. The marijuana plants were found in a garage.

The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office said the marijuana grow there had a medical authorization posted and that because the family owned a business, they did not consider it unusual for a business owner to have cash on hand.

Court documents don't say whether investigators believe the money or marijuana provided a motive for the killings.

Detectives still want the public's help by calling in tips, and callers may remain anonymous.

KIRO