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Trophy | The IHS girls basketball team finishes sixth at state [Page 18]
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013
Search warrants reveal details of mother’s murder BY MATT PHELPS
mphelps@bothell-reporter.com
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Bothell mother murdered in her home Feb. 12 had defensive wounds on her hands and arms, a fractured skull, 19 separate blunt force strikes and stab wounds to the face
and hands, court documents state. Because of the nature of Susann Smith’s wounds, she had to be identified by her dental records. Search warrants describe an alleged struggle between Susann Smith, 37, and her killer. Witness interviews paint a new
picture of her estranged husband Alan Justin Smith’s frustration with the couple’s custody battle. Alan Smith has been named by police as a person of interest in the crime. Bothell police said that no arrests have been made in the case but that
additional forensic tests are planned. “They’re just continuing the investigation and following up on leads,” Bothell police Sgt. Ken Seuberlich told the Everett Herald late Friday. Bothell police found Susann Smith’s body in her bathtub with no signs
of sexual assault on Feb. 12. The front door was unlocked. Detectives believe she was attacked in her bed with a blunt force object and the struggle continued into the bathroom. An ax was found in the home but detectives determined that it was not
used in the attack. Police took blood samples from the residence for DNA testing that investigators said would be instrumental in solving the case. They also served search warrants on Alan Smith’s apartment and vehicles. [ more MURDER page 8 ]
BY MATT PHELPS
Washington state Attorney General in November. “I talk to Bob several times a week,” said Dembowski. “We are close friends and he has helped to smooth the transition. But his are big shoes to fill.” Dembowski took the oath of office on Feb. 4 from King County Superior Court Judge Sean O’Donnell, a friend and classmate of his at Georgetown University. “We had one class together but there are not many kids from Washington at Georgetown and we have stayed in touch,” said Dembowski, who was also joined by his two sons [ more COUNCIL page 3 ]
Rod Dembowski is making new friends mphelps@bothell-reporter.com
Eagles take third at state Cedar Park Christian’s Evan Scholten strips Isaac Reimer with seven seconds to go during the consolation final to clinch third in state. For the full story see Sports on page 15. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Rod Dembowski has been getting a little help from his friends - and making more along the way. He was appointed to the District 1 seat on the King County Council Feb. 11 and balancing the needs and advice of those friends, new and old, will be a big part of his new job. District 1 represents Bothell, Kenmore and parts of north Kirkland, along with parts of North Seattle, Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. One of those friends is Bob Ferguson, who vacated the seat after being elected as
Coach resigns Roosevelt job for sending players to find dates Everyone knows that texting and driving is against the law. But texting and coaching might be just as questionable for youth coach Troy Hennum. Less than a year after
being investigated for texting one of his softball players inappropriately at Lake Washington High School, the Bothell select softball coach has resigned again - after just a week on the job at Roosevelt High School. Hennum, 25, was put on leave after a woman
allegedly came forward claiming that he sent his players out to find women, take their picture, get their phone number and text him the information. “He submitted his resignation on Thursday,” said Seattle School District spokesperson Teresa Wippel.
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Hennum had just started with the team six days prior to the incident. Hennum allegedly sent his players on a “scavenger hunt” to find “cute women.” Kat Aagard, who works in a Seattle sports store, said that she was approached by a group of school-age girls at work.
At first she was flattered and turned over her phone number. Hennum began sending her “flirty” text messages, the Seattle Times reported. She told ABC NEWS that “he seemed like a nice enough guy.” She became worried when she did an Internet search for Hennum and
found news reports of the investigation at Lake Washington High School. Aagard reported the incident to Roosevelt High School administration. Wippel said some have questioned the district putting Hennum on leave for the incident. [ more COACH page 5 ]
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BY MATT PHELPS
mphelps@bothell-reporter.com