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December 15, 2011 in City
CPS report triggered arrest in Northport homicide
A 4-year-old boy’s ongoing nightmares about “a dead lady” and his description of how she died led homicide detectives to arrest his father in the slaying of a Stevens County woman, according to new court documents.
The boy’s mother contacted Child Protective Services on Nov. 24 – two days before the decomposing body of Narleen B. Campton, 62, was discovered in her Northport home about 10 miles south of the Canadian border.
Detectives investigating Campton’s death had heard the boy’s father, Robert Cody Wirtz, had connections to Campton. They interviewed the boy after learning of the CPS report and concluded he knew details of Campton’s homicide that had never been publicly released.
The boy asked detectives if they knew what his dad had done when they sat down to talk to him Dec. 7. The detectives inquired, and the boy replied, “He killed a lady,” according to court documents filed Tuesday in Stevens County Superior Court.
The boy is in protective custody, said Tim Rasmussen, Stevens County prosecutor.
Detectives believe Wirtz killed Campton during a drug-fueled robbery. Sheriff Kendle Allen has said he believes others were involved and more arrests are expected.
An autopsy concluded Campton died of blunt force and sharp trauma, including tortuous incisions on her face, but was also choked, documents say.
Campton’s friend, Bo Wiley, told detectives he’d driven Campton to the grocery store recently because her 32-year-old son, Azariah E. Hulsey, had taken her car, gotten arrested and was in jail.
Wiley said Hulsey’s girlfriend wanted to visit Campton, but Campton was reluctant because the woman “had problems with methamphetamine and had stolen from her in the past.”
According to court records, Hulsey’s girlfriend is friends with Wirtz.
On Nov. 30, detectives interviewed Wirtz’s roommate at a motel and were told Wirtz returned after Thanksgiving and appeared “freaked out.”
But it wasn’t until detectives learned of the CPS report and spoke to Wirtz’s son that they developed probable cause to arrest him, according to court documents.
Detectives called to arrange a second interview with the boy last week and were told by his mother that he continued “to suffer from nightmares, was sleep walking, and was crying about bad things,” according to court documents. Campton was found on Nov. 26. Wirtz was arrested on Dec. 8.
Human trafficking suspects released 
liveinfearoftheSPD on December 15 at 6:03 a.m.
What kind of drug could poses a father to take his 4 year old to a murder? He should be facing the DP. Not only did he senselessly torture and murder that poor woman, he has no doubt scarred his son for life.
Sunshinegurl on December 15 at 7:48 a.m.
I agree with you completely on the DP, there’s no reason to keep this creep alive. But I don’t think that boy has to be scarred for life. He’s four, he can forget everything that happened if the people taking care of him let that happen. All too often therapists want you to keep talking about painful things to the point of never being able to move on because it’s always on your mind.
PassinThru on December 15 at 8:50 a.m.
Another very good job by the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office. It’s too bad the moronic voters up there couldn’t afford to part with another three pennies on a ten dollar purchase. The loss of the sales tax levy will mean as many as seven patrol deputies will be let go. Out of a total of 17! In a county that runs from Suncrest to the Canadian border.
These are the same people who, through their dilligent investigation, saved that 105 year old lady from starvation last summer.
The ones that Suncrest people think should be on every corner.
Three pennies.
grammasandi63 on December 18 at 2:54 p.m.
the child is an angel with a strong spirit, he will get counseling no boubt because his mom was quick enough to call the proper authorities. he will be fine. I just hope his dad gets the DP, so he does not need to live in fear of him forever. even if they do not put them down, they never get out that way.