Detectives are investigating whether Howell might also be responsible for the disappearance of Nancy Moyer, who went missing from her Tenino home in March 2009, and has never been found, Thurston County Chief Criminal Deputy James Chamberlain said.
Chamberlain said there is nothing specific that connects Sunday’s homicide to Moyer’s disappearance, but detectives will look very closely to see if there is a link because of the proximity of Sunday’s crime scene to Moyer’s home.
Moyer vanished from her home in the 700 block of state Route 507 on March 6, 2009, leaving her car, purse, wallet, credit cards and identification in the home. When Moyer’s husband went to the home to drop off their daughters on March 6, the front door was ajar, the television was on and a glass of red wine had been placed on the coffee table in the living room.
Hamilton and Detective Dave Haller, who both have been investigating Moyer’s disappearance for almost a year and a half, also are assigned to Sunday night’s homicide, Chamberlain said.