Murder victim’s family sues city, county, state

SEATTLE – The family of a 12-year-old Tacoma girl kidnapped, raped and killed by a sex offender three years ago has filed suit against Tacoma, Pierce County and Washington state.

The suit filed Tuesday in King County Superior Court by the family of Zina Linnik contends too little was done to monitor Terapon Adhahn. It also contends Tacoma police were negligent for delaying an Amber Alert for nearly 13 hours.

Lawyer Tyler Firkins says the lawsuit seeks to “close loopholes for sex offenders.” It doesn’t seek specific damages, but the family filed a $32 million claim against Tacoma.

City and county spokesmen have defended their agencies’ performance. In a statement, state Corrections Secretary Eldon Vail declined specific comment but noted Adhahn had been off supervision for 10 years at the time of the crime.

Adhahn is serving life in prison without the possibility of release after pleading guilty to killing Linnik and raping two other girls. He was convicted of incest in 1990 for violently raping a 16-year-old female relative.