Man Released By Mistake; Ex-Girlfriend Found Dead

A man was being questioned in the slaying of an ex-girlfriend whose body was found after he was released from jail last week by mistake, Whatcom County sheriff’s deputies said.

Investigators found Michelle Lyn Smith, 32, dead on a couch Monday in the living room of her apartment in Marietta, Undersheriff Dave Wareing said. He said there were signs of a struggle but refused to release the cause of death or other details.

Friends and family had reported the woman missing, Wareing said. Her pets, including a dog, guinea pig, three birds and some fish, were taken by animal control officers.

The woman’s 4-year-old daughter spent the weekend with Smith’s former husband, who was not believed to be involved in the attack, Wareing said.

Lloyd J. Monroe Jr., 31, mistakenly released from the Whatcom County Jail last week while being held in an assault case involving Smith, was being questioned in the case Tuesday, the undersheriff said.

Monroe faces trial today on a felony charge of violating a court order to stay away from Smith and assaulting her in December.

In the assault case, Monroe is charged with going to Smith’s apartment, beating her up and sexually assaulting her.

In court papers, deputy prosecutor Mac Setter said Smith and Monroe had a troubled relationship dating back at least five years.