Kennewick woman was already dead when home was set ablaze

Kennewick, WA

Investigators say Kathy Lou Ellen Wilcox was already useless when a fireplace was began in close proximity to her body in the kitchen area of her Kennewick home. The key suspect, her spouse, is even now on the lam.

An autopsy of a woman believed to be Wilcox, 72, unveiled she was killed sometime right before the residence at 1405 S. Elm St. caught fireplace just soon after 10:30 a.m. on Monday.

Lt. Jason Erickson confirmed the autopsy confirmed she had been shot. Other facts was becoming held back because of the ongoing investigation.

A nationwide warrant with a $1 million bail has been issued for Brian L. Wilcox, 68, on expenses of 1st-diploma murder and initial-diploma arson.

Benton County Fireplace District 1 was identified as to the house after a passerby spotted fire coming from the front door and roof. When they ended up ready to douse the blaze, firefighters uncovered a human body that matched Kathy Wilcox’s description.

When police ended up equipped to go into the house, they uncovered a melted piece of plastic that looked like a gas can, and a strong smell of gasoline wherever the hearth is thought to have began.

Information and facts from their son led investigators to feel that Wilcox took his rifles and handguns with him ahead of he still left the residence in his wife’s blue 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Activity with a Washington license plate of BIP2617.

Detectives have been in a position to positioned footage of Wilcox spotted heading to a West Kennewick Avenue department of the bank about the exact same time firefighters arrived at the residence. He was witnessed talking with tellers and leaving the financial institution.

As soon as the fire was set out, investigators located the gun safes, which appeared to have been emptied.

It is not crystal clear what Wilcox did after leaving the lender. Loved ones associates have not been able to call him.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Business is asking anyone with details about Wilcox’s site to get in touch with dispatchers at 509-628-0333.

This tale was initially released April 28, 2022 4:44 PM.