Detectives: 3 found dead in Sammamish murder-suicide

The bodies of a couple and their adult son were found dead in their Sammamish home during a welfare check by police on Tuesday.

On Thursday the King County Medical Examiner identified the bodies as: 68-year-old Lorraine Ficken, 72-year-old Robert Ficken, and 34-year-old Matthew Ficken.

Police said the deaths at the home in the 23900 block of SE 42nd Place were the result of a murder-suicide.

Detectives said Lorraine and Robert Ficken both died from gunshot wounds on the evening of Jan. 10, or on the morning of Jan. 11.

Matthew Ficken waited five days after shooting his parents and then shot him self as deputies were attempting a welfare check, according to detectives.

"Detectives believe a possible motive for the murders occurred when Matthew was told his mother was moving out of state and he would have to find his own place. His mother gave Matthew more than enough money to pay for his first and last month deposit on an apartment and additional expenses," the King County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

Friends and neighbors spoke to KIRO 7 about Lorraine and said she was well-liked by neighbors.

“She was the sweetest woman in the world. Just so sweet. She would do anything for you. Anytime I would go outside we would have a conversation, you know, for a long time. Just a really nice, nice person,” said neighbor Jennifer Eiken.

Lorraine’s husband Robert was a highly acclaimed author of several books on the history of Washington State.

The King County Sheriff’s Office said there were no recent calls to police from the home before Tuesday.

“We checked the records. (Deputies) haven’t been here any time, at least recently, that we found, and aid hadn’t been here, either,” said King Co. Sheriff's Office Sgt. Ryan Abbott.

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