Your locally-owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington
April 26, 2012 VOL. 4, NO. 17
Return of a classic Page 16
2 dead, 1 missing in North Bend killing By Michele Mihalovich
Annexation approved County allows Snoqualmie to annex DirtFish property. Page 2
New to politics Parks commission gets 16-year-old member. Page 3
Watery thoughts State wants comments on North Bend shoreline plan. Page 6
Police blotter Page 8
The two women found dead in a burning, rural North Bend home April 22 both suffered a gunshot wound to the head. The family’s dog and cat were also found shot inside the home. The women have been identified by the medical examiner’s office as Lynnettee Keller, 41, and her 18-year-old daughter, Kaylene Keller. King County Sheriff Steve Strachan said in an interview April 24 that the situation is now being considered a doublehomicide, and police are looking for Peter A. Keller, who lives at the home and has been missing since firefighters responded to the scene. Keller, 41, is not being named as a suspect at this time, Strachan said. “There are many possible explanations of why he would not be considered a suspect,” he said. “But we don’t know enough yet about what happened. We want to talk to him to see if he had any involvement in this case.” Missing man is not a suspect
Mother Joseph Tribe honors woman who set up clinics. Page 8
Gooey Science and spelling go together. Page 14
Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71 POSTAL CUSTOMER
It is known that Keller lived in the home with his wife and daughter, according to Sgt. Cindi West with the sheriff’s office. Detectives had been looking for a 2003 blue-grey Toyota Corolla, with Washington plate 911 YWK. That vehicle was located at about 5:30 p.m. April 22, parked near the North Bend Library. Police are interested in finding out how long that vehicle had been parked there, she said. The sheriff’s office also released a public bulletin April 23 asking for help in locating Keller, described as 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds. Police are asking people to call the sheriff’s office at 206296-3311 or 911 if they have information. Strachan said Keller is a hiker, known to camp with his dog (the one that was found dead in the home) in the North Bend and Snoqualmie wilderness, well off established trails. He said the sheriff’s office had a helicopter in the air April 23, “But since there are no indications of a particular trail he frequents, we just
By Michele Mihalovich
Top: Red gas cans are visible in front of a rural North Bend home where two women were found shot to death in a burning home the morning of April 22. Left: Multiple agencies respond to the home. Above: A bouquet of flowers was placed in front of the home.
“There are many possible explanations of why he would not be considered a suspect. But we don’t know enough yet about what happened. We want to talk to him to see if he had any involvement in this case.” — Steve Strachan Sheriff
really don’t even know the area to focus on.” Posters with Keller’s photo were placed at trailheads, urging people to call if they see him or
if they have information. Keller may have a redand-silver mountain bike with him, and several handguns and rifles are missing from Keller’s residence, according to Peter A. Keller the bulletin. Strachan said Keller has no known history of violence, and law enforcement officers have not been called out to the residence on any domestic violence calls. And while Keller has not been named a suspect, Strachan said detectives are looking into
whether Keller had been facing any life-changing events, such as a job loss or death in the family. “He worked at some sort of computer business and there is nothing to indicate he was experiencing trouble in his life, but we will continue to follow up on that,” he said. Seven gas cans were in the home West was at the scene, in the 47000 block of Southeast 159th Street, April 22. She said neighbors had called Eastside Fire & Rescue at about 8:30 a.m. when they noticed smoke coming from the house. Firefighters had to force their way into the home to try and See KILLING, Page 3