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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Police suspect boyfriend of assaulting woman found dead

From staff reports

Spokane police arrested the boyfriend of a woman found dead in a North Spokane home last week, but have not accused him of causing her death.

Police found Brianna Folsom, 35, dead in a home on the 5300 block of north Addison Street last Saturday and said she had injuries from domestic violence abuse.

Folsom’s boyfriend, Aaron J. Coman, 33, was arrested late Tuesday on suspicion of felony domestic violence assault. He’s in jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

The Spokane County Medical Examiner said this week more tests are needed to determine how Folsom died. If her death is ruled a homicide, Coman could face murder charges.

Folsom’s juvenile daughter discovered Folsom dead in her bed on Saturday. The daughter said Folsom and Coman fought often, and he would hit her, court records say. Three days before her death, the daughter said her mother was having difficulty breathing and swallowing. Folsom told her daughter at that time that Coman had choked her.

The night before she found her mother, the daughter said Folsom and Coman had been arguing and fighting. Saturday morning Coman left around 6 a.m., she said.

When police contacted Coman over the phone he expressed shock that Folsom was dead, according to court documents.

“No, no, no oh my God. Oh, why? Oh my gosh, she looked fine. How did she die?” he said according to court documents.

Court records detailing the case against Coman said there were “no obvious injuries indicating a recent assault” on Folsom’s body, but there were a number of bruises on her arms and legs as well as an injury to the left side of her neck that may have been caused by the alleged choking that occurred in the days before Folsom’s death.