Search Halted For Boy Lost After Mom Slain

The search for a missing 14-year-old in a wooded area near his home has been called off, the Pierce County sheriff’s office said Sunday.

Dozens of volunteers on Saturday searched the area for Jeffrey Klungness, who was last seen March 2, the day his mother was found slain at their Bonney Lake home.

But no evidence of the boy’s condition or whereabouts was found, deputies said.

Susan Klungness’ husband, Ronald, found her body in their bedroom. She had been hit in the head, deputies said.

Jeffrey was last seen with Martin Malcom, a family friend.

Malcom, a convicted murderer, has been booked into the Pierce County jail for investigation of auto theft.

Malcom told detectives he went to the Klungness home on March 2, found Susan Klungness dead, panicked and fled in her car because he feared he would be implicated.

Malcom stabbed his wife to death in 1980 in Clark County and was released from prison four years ago.