There is no lead investigative agency- it is involving 3 counties, the feds, and ICE.
It will be interesting to see who handles the prosecution.
COWELL HOMICIDE TASK FORCE
Chief Criminal Deputy Robbin Wagg Task Force Commander
Captain Doug Jones Public Information Officer
http://www.examiner.com/x-34328-Sea...-release?cid=exrss-Seattle-Headlines-Examiner
*** PRESS RELEASE ****
On Tuesday, February 9th, Mackenzie Cowell was reported missing. Her car was located in the Pitcher Canyon area of Chelan County. An extensive search and investigation into her disappearance took place and continued until Friday, February 13th, when her body was discovered on the banks of the Columbia River in the Crescent Bar area in Douglas County. Her death was determined to be a homicide. The investigation transitioned from a missing person investigation to a homicide investigation.
On Tuesday, February 16th, Chiefs and Sheriffs from the Wenatchee and East Police Departments, and Chelan and Douglas County Sheriffs Offices officially created the Cowell Homicide Task Force. Chief Criminal Deputy Robbin Wagg from the Douglas County Sheriffs Office was named the commander of the task force, and Captain Doug Jones from the Wenatchee Police Department was named the public information officer for the task force. Investigative supervisors and detectives from all of the local law enforcement jurisdictions were assigned to the task force, as well as investigators from the local FBI office. Each agency committed to keeping the task force staffed for the duration of the investigation.
The task force has received and investigated over 200 tips to date. Over 670 people have been interviewed, a number of searches have taken place, and items have been sent to the State Crime Lab and other forensic labs for examination. There are 10 to 15 investigators working on the task force on a regular basis. These investigators are working tirelessly to find the person or persons responsible for the murder of Mackenzie Cowell. Any and all resources are being used to investigate this case. While no arrests have been made to date, investigators are very optimistic that this investigation will result in an arrest and conviction.
The supervisors and detectives assigned to the Cowell Homicide Task Force are some of the finest investigators in the area. As the task force commander, I am proud to be associated with men and women who daily show their professionalism, dedication, team work, and commitment to finding the killer of Mackenzie Cowell. We will not disclose specific investigative information or methods used to investigate this case but any and all legal means available are being used to find Mackenzies killer.
Michael R. Wagg
Chief Criminal Deputy
Cowell Homicide Task Force Commander