Latest news with #SpokaneCountyMedicalExaminer'sOffice
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police suspect homicide after man found dead in RV in Spokane Valley
May 8—Spokane Valley police detectives are investigating the death of a man found inside a parked RV Tuesday as a homicide. Deputies responded about noon to a suspicious circumstance call in the 6500 block of East Broadway Avenue after the caller reported finding a man dead inside the vehicle in a parking lot, according to a Spokane Valley Police Department news release. Investigators believe the victim and the 1988 Winnebago RV arrived sometime Sunday on Broadway Avenue, between North Dyer Road and Interstate 90, the release said. They believe the victim and RV may have been in the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area for several months. Detectives are asking for the public's help in providing information about the RV and anyone associated with it from Sunday to Tuesday while it was in the area of Broadway and I-90. They also asked for the public to provide other locations the RV was parked from last month to Sunday. Call Det. Marc Melville at (509) 477-3325 and reference incident No. 10060432 with tips. The Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office will release the name of the victim and his cause and manner of death.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
Medical examiner identifies man who died in Deer Park crash
Apr. 10—A 40-year-old man who died after crashing a vehicle into a large sign one week ago in Deer Park has been identified as Steven Davis, according to the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office. The cause and manner of Davis' death are pending, the medical examiner's office said. Investigators believe Davis sped through a parking lot before crashing into the sign at about 5:20 a.m. April 4 in the 800 block of South Main Street, according to a Spokane County Sheriff's Office news release. Firefighters extricated Davis, who was the lone occupant of the Ford Explorer. He was taken to the hospital, where he died, investigators said. Investigators believe speed, not wearing a seatbelt and impairment were factors in the crash.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
40-year-old man dies in Deer Park parking lot crash
Apr. 8—A 40-year-old man died after investigators believe he sped through a Deer Park parking lot and crashed into a large sign. Spokane County Sheriff's Office deputies and Spokane County Fire District 4 firefighters responded at about 5:20 a.m. Friday to the crash in the 800 block of South Main Street, according to a sheriff's office news release. Firefighters extricated the man, who was the lone occupant of the Ford Explorer. He was taken to the hospital, where he died, investigators said. Investigators believe speed, failure to wear a seat belt and impairment were factors in the crash. The Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office will release the man's name and his cause and manner of death.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Yahoo
Man sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for killing married couple in Spokane crash
Mar. 16—A 46-year-old man charged with killing a married couple in a 2023 Trent Avenue crash was sentenced earlier this month to 6 1/2 years in prison. Kelly U. Dockins pleaded guilty March 5 to vehicular homicide (reckless manner) before Spokane County Superior Court Judge Michelle Szambelan handed down the sentence. Michaele Zadekian, 53, and Steven Harnasch, 44, died of blunt force injuries of the head, neck, torso and extremities in the three-vehicle crash on Aug. 11, 2023, according to the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office. Witnesses told police Dockins, who was driving a Ford Explorer, was pulling out of the SERVPRO driveway, 4625 E. Trent Ave., onto Trent Avenue when he collided with a westbound silver Mitsubishi Lancer. The Mitsubishi was pushed in front of an Avista Utilities commercial vehicle, which struck the vehicle a second time, witnesses said in court records. The Avista driver told police Dockins got out of the SUV, approached the Mitsubishi and became distraught, saying something akin to, "Oh my God, they're dead." Dockins told police he caused the crash and corroborated witnesses' descriptions of it. He said as he started to pull his car out of the gravel parking area of SERVPRO, he looked left and right and started entering Trent Avenue when he struck a westbound vehicle. He said the vehicle swerved to avoid a crash, causing it to lose control before colliding with the other vehicle. Police believed Dockins was impaired based on field sobriety tests, according to documents. It was unclear whether police determined he was impaired. According to Zadekian's obituary, she was a registered nurse with three sons and four grandchildren. Zadekian loved photography, motorcycle rides and her dogs, the obituary said. Szambelan ordered Dockins, who has no prior felonies, to serve 18 months of community custody when he's released from prison.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Yahoo
Spokane woman sentenced to 8 years for role in People's Park murder
Feb. 14—A judge sentenced a 21-year-old Spokane woman to eight years in prison Friday for her role in the death of Andy Hernandez, who was found bound and gagged to death in People's Park in 2022. "You don't deserve pity," Andy's brother, Freddie Hernandez, said to Larren Parker. "You will always be a coward, just like your other two partners." Parker was the third and last person to be sentenced for Andy Hernandez's killing. John Birgen, 28, and Randy Slone, 29, were both sentenced to over 30 years in prison for their roles in his death. Slone told police at the time that all three were there as they tied Andy Hernandez's hands together and taped his mouth. They put him in the car, and Birgen drove to a dog park. Slone told police Birgen used a large rock to hit Andy Hernandez in the head and grabbed the rope that was around Andy Hernandez's neck and pulled it, court documents say. Slone said Parker was in the car at the time of the murder. Andy Hernandez, 51, died of blunt-force trauma and lack of oxygen, the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office ruled. He had a broken neck, extensive injuries to his throat, including a broken bone, and severe blunt-force trauma to the back of his head. The motive for the killing, Slone said, was that Birgen alleged Hernandez raped someone, according to court records. Andy Hernandez's family has maintained this is false. "You knew this was going to happen," Freddie Hernandez told Parker via Zoom. He said his brother "wasn't ready" to leave the world at the time of his death. "I wish you all the worst," he added. Parker's mother, Shannon Karlinsey, spoke in Friday's sentencing. She told the court that her daughter is a victim of trauma from a police raid and was diagnosed with PTSD at the age of 7. While in an out of juvenile detention, Karlinsey alleged her daughter was a victim of predatory adults. Parker cannot read or write, her defense attorney mentioned. "She loves animals and rescues them," her mother said. "When she was arrested, she was at the maturity level of a 15-year-old. She has grown a great deal." A statement from Parker was read to the court because she does not know how to write. Parker told the court and the family of Hernandez that she was sorry, and that she was "on a path of destruction" before her arrest. Since, she has been building her faith in a higher power. "I have a plan for my release from prison," her statement said. Spokane Superior Court Judge Julie McKay told Parker there was "a lot of damage done" that will never be fixed, and she hopes Parker understands that. She then sentenced her for second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. "Actions have consequences," McKay said. "It doesn't matter what your excuses might be ... I hope you understand that ... And make sure this never happens again."
