Latest news with #LaurieKrage
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Pierce County deputies ask for help solving 30 year old murder mystery
The Brief Detectives in Pierce County are calling on the public's help to solve a nearly 30-year-old murder mystery. Laurie Krage, whose remains were recently identified through genetic genealogy, and its believed she did not die from natural causes. PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. - Pierce County Sheriff's detectives are asking for your help to solve a nearly 30-year-old murder mystery. The backstory Laurie Krage was last known to be alive in January 1996. A mushroom picker found her remains on October 13, 1997 off Gale Creek Road about 9 miles from Wilkeson Elementary School, south of Buckley. Her remains were recently identified by Othram Labs using genetic genealogy. "There's enough evidence from the remains to show it was not a natural cause of death," said Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Carly Cappetto. Detectives are in touch with her living relatives, but it's still unclear why Laurie was never reported missing. Her maiden name is Lester. She married Ronald Martin in 1995. He died of natural causes in 2020. Laurie was known to visit Lakewood, Kent and the Emerald Queen area. The answer to how she died could come from a tip on how she lived. "If anybody has known her or they knew her in the past, what her life was like, we're starting from the very bottom to find out who she was, where she liked to frequent, or where she stayed and lived," said Deputy Cappetto. Deputies are seeking information about Krage and her late husband, Ronald Martin, between the years 1995 and 1997. If you knew her or have any information, call the Pierce County Sheriff's Office at (253) 287-4455. You can also submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Tacoma-Pierce County through the P3 Tips App on your cell phone or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). The Source Information in this story is from the Pierce County Sheriff's Office and FOX 13 Seattle reporting. Missing WA grandmother's remains found buried under shed These 2 WA trails rank among best in US, new study finds Reddit: Seattle crosswalk hacked with voice message mocking Jeff Bezos 37 earthquakes recorded in Okanogan County, WA, over the past week Auburn, WA business employee, co-owner speak out after building burns during police search Comedian Jeff Dunham previews his upcoming Tacoma Dome show Seattle woman arrested for pit bull attacks: 'Let him do his thing' To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
1997 WA cold case victim identified; Gary Ridgway not ruled out
The Brief Laurie Krage's remains, found in Washington in 1997, were identified nearly 30 years after her death through advanced DNA tech. She was never reported missing, and her alleged husband died of natural causes in 2020. Detectives are investigating her murder, and they are not yet ruling out the possibility of notorious serial killer Gary Ridgway. PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. - Deputies recently identified human remains, found nearly 30 years ago in Pierce County, as those of Laurie Krage. Now, the public is getting a closer look at how modern DNA technology brought a 1997 cold case back into an active homicide investigation. The Pierce County Sheriff's Office announced the update to the case on social media Tuesday, asking anyone with information about Krage between 1995 and 1997 to contact the department. This marks the 37th case that scientists at Othram Inc. have helped solve in Washington state. The backstory On Oct. 13, 1997, a mushroom picker stumbled upon the skeletal remains of a woman while walking through the woods in Wilkeson, a small town southeast of Seattle. The remains were found along Gale Creek Road, about nine miles from Wilkeson School, south of Buckley. According to Othram, Pierce County detectives determined the remains belonged to a woman between the ages of 20 and 50 who stood about 5 feet 5 inches tall. She was wearing a dark blue, long-sleeved sweatshirt with a Pacific Lutheran University basketball logo and the word "LUTES" on it. She also had size 7 Union Bay blue jeans on and white Reebok tennis shoes in size 4½. "Her remains were found in an area that she was not known to frequent, and about nine and a half miles away from any major city or town," said PCSO Public Information Officer Deputy Carly Cappetto. "The remains appeared to be in a condition that would resemble a homicide." Investigators could not identify the woman, and she became known as Pierce County Jane Doe. In 2009, the case was added to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Dig deeper Twenty-six years later, the PCSO submitted forensic evidence to Othram in Texas to see if its advanced DNA lab could help identify Jane Doe. Scientists at Othram were able to extract DNA from the forensic evidence and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to create a detailed genealogical profile of the unidentified woman. The company's forensic genetic genealogy team then used the profile to conduct research, generating new leads for law enforcement. Using those new leads, a follow-up investigation linked potential relatives to Pierce County Jane Doe. Reference DNA samples were collected, and Othram compared the DNA from potential relatives to Jane Doe's profile, ultimately identifying her as Laurie Kay (Lester) Krage, born Dec. 17, 1959. What they're saying "Something like this is heartbreaking for a family to go through, but I do think it's important to know the truth in order to be able to move forward," said Kristen Mittelman, chief development officer at Othram. "We're proud to work with law enforcement, because they're out there every day working to provide answers for families and get some resolution." What we know Laurie Krage would have been 36 years old when she died. Deputies say she moved around frequently in the Pierce County area and was known to frequent Lakewood, Kent and the Emerald Queen area. "Now that we've determined that this is in fact Laurie, we are starting from the ground up on a homicide investigation" PCSO Deputy Carly Cappetto. Records indicate she was married to Ronald Martin, who died of natural causes in 2020. "It's known she was married for a few years prior to her disappearance," said Cappetto. "Unfortunately, the alleged husband that she was married to … he died of natural causes in 2020, so we don't have anybody really left to really ask questions." The PCSO says Laurie has living family members, and detectives have been in contact with them in hopes of solving the homicide and bringing closure to the family. What we don't know FOX 13 Seattle asked the Pierce County Sheriff's Office whether Laurie Krage may have been a victim of infamous Washington state serial killer Gary Ridgway, since she likely died during the time he was actively killing. According to deputies, it's possible — but not certain. "Nothing is off the table for her being missing, and now that there are circumstances around the remains that were found that would lead us to believe that this is, in fact, a homicide case, nothing is off the table," said Cappetto. Deputies said there could be several reasons why Laurie was not properly reported missing to authorities, ranging from a possible falling out with friends and family members to people not knowing how to properly file a missing person's report. "There had been some media on her years ago — about, you know, approximately 28 years ago — on her disappearance in the area, but nobody ever reported her missing," said Cappetto. "So no family members, or the alleged husband that she married, had reported her missing. So, there are some unique, interesting factors around her disappearance." The PCSO is asking anyone in Pierce County and beyond who may have known her to come forward and provide insight into what her life was like. "We are starting from the very bottom, just to try to figure out who she was, where she liked to frequent, where she traveled, or even where she stayed and lived," said Cappetto. "At this point, we are just gathering information to go ahead and hopefully solve a homicide case." What you can do Anyone who has information about Laurie is asked to contact the PCSO. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by visiting or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. The Source Information in this story came from the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, an interview with PCSO Public Information Officer Deputy Carly Cappetto and a press release by Othram Inc. 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Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Salt & Straw eyes Seattle's closed Pike Place Starbucks location
The Brief Salt & Straw could open a new location at the former Seattle Starbucks on 1st and Pike, right across from Pike Place Market. However, the ice cream company withdrew their permit on Monday, saying their site plan was not quite ready yet. SEATTLE - Salt & Straw's newest ice cream shop could be coming to downtown Seattle, possibly in the former Starbucks at 1st and Pike. What we know The Portland, Oregon-based ice cream company applied to renovate the location right across from Pike Place Market earlier this month. The Starbucks closed back in August 2024 after an "evaluation" of the store's environment. However, records show Salt & Straw withdrew their application on Monday, claiming the site plan was not yet ready to be submitted. A site plan was attached to the original building and land use pre-application, describing the scope of work for the renovations. The 2,453 square foot space would likely undergo minor mechanical, plumbing and electrical work, along with layout changes to the interior. What we don't know It's currently unknown if Salt & Straw plans to resubmit its application for the former downtown Starbucks location. FOX 13 Seattle has reached out to the company for comment. Salt & Straw is a take-out ice cream company with over 40 locations nationwide, including four in western Washington. They already have two shops open in Seattle, in Ballard and Capitol Hill, with another one planned for Queen Anne. The Source Information in this story is from public records available on the Seattle City Government website. Convicted child molester linked to missing WA grandmother case FBI investigating Tesla charging station damaged overnight in Lacey Remains of Laurie Krage identified in Pierce County, WA cold case Police: Man sets building on fire during Auburn standoff, likely dead Juvenile shot near King County middle school, deputies say Tariffs live updates: Trump's sweeping plan takes effect, including 104% on China To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
