LACEY, WA – A chilling crime has unfolded in Washington state, where a renowned chiropractor, Karen Koep, and her husband, Davido, are feared to have been killed by their tenant, who was facing eviction.
The couple had been missing since November 13, as reported by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies, conducting a welfare check at their home in Lacey, stumbled upon two sizable pools of blood, leading them to suspect a deadly crime had taken place.
An overpowering smell of bleach permeated the residence, and there were signs that the bodies of the victims had been moved to the garage. It was known that 45-year-old Timothy Burke, a tenant, rented from Davido.
In the course of their investigation, deputies discovered an eviction notice in progress, authored by Davido for Burke. Burke had a history of mental health issues and frequent 911 calls to his residence. Surveillance cameras captured Burke using Davido’s debit card.
Burke was initially taken into custody on charges of identity theft, but a firearm was found on his person. The bullets from the gun were a match to those used in the crime, court documents revealed. Burke was later found hiding off a trail and arrested.
Pauline Dutton, Koep’s sister, suspects the looming eviction was the trigger for the crime. Although Burke has not been formally charged, Thurston Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jennifer Lord declared in a court hearing that a murder charge is warranted.
On Monday, Judge John C. Skinder ordered a no-bail hold, citing probable cause for two counts of first-degree murder.