Spokane7
49°
August 10, 2010 in City
Bridge homicide victim was restrained before plunge
This nylon rope was used to restrain William Pickard, who was thrown to his death from the Sunset Bridge on June 30.
(Full-size photo)
A Spokane man was bound with a rope before being thrown to his death off the Sunset Bridge in June.
Police today released a photo of that rope, which was used to bind William P. “Bill” Pickard’s hands and neck, to bring attention to a murder that’s provided few clues.
“We’re hoping this may generate a lead or two,” said Lt. Dave McGovern. “We believe there’s more than one person involved in this crime.”
Pickard died after being thrown from the Sunset Bridge early June 30 in what detectives suspect may have been a drug-related murder.
Pickard, who would have turned 39 last Friday, was studying to be a drug counselor at Spokane Falls Community College. He had a methadone prescription he filled through a local clinic, police said.
“Obviously that has a whole set of clientele that we’re looking at,” McGovern said. “Somebody could have ripped him off of his methadone.”
Pickard’s hands and neck were bound with a nylon rope that McGovern described as “a flat rope that’s black and white in design…It’s kind of like a shoelace but it’s bigger.”
The rope is about three-quarters of an inch in diameter.
“We think it’s unique enough that there’s not too many of these out there,” McGovern said.
The rope is at the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab for forensic testing.
Pickard’s family held a memorial under the Sunset Bridge last Friday to celebrate his birthday and to “let people know that it’s not just a name, it’s a person,” said Daniel Pickard, the victim’s older brother.
“We’re just hoping to take a big collective breath and support the police in what they’re doing,” Daniel Pickard said.
Meanwhile, police are combing through phone records and talking to Bill Pickard’s associates to try to piece together his final hours.
The father of two told his family he was going to the Swinging Doors Tavern the evening of June 29, but bar employees never saw him, and his 2007 Mercury Mariner was never spotted on parking lot surveillance cameras.
Instead, McGovern said Pickard went to a different North Side bar, which the lieutenant declined to identify.
“I don’t think he was there very long,” he said.
Pickard is believed to have been thrown from the bridge early on June 30, McGovern said. His car was found in the 1500 block of West Glass Avenue, about four miles away, the next day.
Though Pickard’s wallet, including cash, was with his body, his cell phone was missing, McGovern said. His methadone supply also has not been located, McGovern said.
Detectives used a search warrant to access Pickard’s call records through his phone-service provider.
Police say Pickard was last seen about 9:30 p.m., and that his last known phone contact was about 11 p.m. But they’re still piecing together phone records and hoping for additional witnesses.
“It may come to the fact that we get somebody in a tight situation on other charges that are willing to talk more freely to us than they were before,” McGovern said. “Or maybe one of their spouses may have seen that rope around the house and will give us a call.”
Human trafficking suspects released 
philipgregory on August 10 at 1:36 p.m.
‘Restrain’ sounds too passive. Police ‘restrain’.
Murderers bind their victims.
Itsgodswill on August 10 at 3:29 p.m.
This also says that his methadone supply was missing..Is it confirmed that he had it with him in the first place or is this just an assumption that people carry their entire supply of whatever drugs they’re prescribed..?
MrNatural on August 10 at 3:41 p.m.
Is it me or does it appear that those folks that are in drug rehab and trying to turn their life around are at higher risk to homicides. I seem to recall a noticeable frequency of other tragic incidents of people who were murdered that were in the process of turning their lives around. Are they in some danger from the drug dealers? Is it possibly from paranoid ex dope associates?
It just strikes me as more than a coincidence
eagleproducer on August 10 at 4:02 p.m.
Mr. Natural: It’s like the boys on the Sopranos always used to say, half jokingly: The more I try to get away, the more they try to pull me back in.
MrNatural on August 10 at 4:08 p.m.
There’s credence in what you say spoketucky…that might warrant an addendum to drug interventions
Me2222 on August 10 at 4:29 p.m.
Bill,
We all miss and love you so much. There isn’t a day when you don’t cross our minds.
We are still fighting for answers and we will fight until we figure out who did this to you.
All of us friends and family miss you dearly!
Thinking of you today and always, my friend!
blackdogbear on August 10 at 4:41 p.m.
Bill….you will be missed:)
To Bills Family
You are in our thoughts and prayers daily
Jim, Liz, Tiffany, and Clark
meghannc on August 10 at 5:26 p.m.
The article has been updated. I appreciate all the comments and suggestions; remember I work for you.
Dazzeetrader11 on August 10 at 10:19 p.m.
Sounds like Bill was an exceptional man in recovery. This “binding” wasn;t done by him. Someone(s) else did this and there is no obvious reason to think Bill was done in by the same people.
Drugs likely would be the key reason. I do hope the detectives unit has their best investigative resources on this one.
Meanwhile, bless Bill and bless his family. One thing is clear, he cleaned up and did the best to stay clean. It’s a victory few can claim.
eagleproducer on August 11 at 8:22 a.m.
It’s sooooooooooo nice to know I’m under surveillance when I visit the Swinging Doors Tavern.
Dazee: The cops in Spokane couldn’t catch a cold in a Pakistani flood zone. Since this victim isn’t from a wealthy family living on the South Hill don’t expect justice anytime soon.
BitofBacon on August 11 at 11:52 a.m.
Spoketucky-you should check the clearance conviction rate of the SPD Major Crimes Unit.