Jogger Finds Two Bodies Hidden In Gully Detectives Not Speculating If Deaths Could Be Related To Rash Of Other Killings In Area

A jogger discovered two bodies in a gully south of Spokane on Friday afternoon.

The bodies were found just after 2 p.m. about 20 feet from the road in the 5000 block of 14th Street, one-quarter mile west of Carnahan Road, said sheriff’s Lt. Gerry Fojtik.

They were partially buried by leaves and debris, Fojtik said.

“It’s obvious the bodies weren’t freshly dumped,” he said.

Authorities were uncertain what caused the deaths. At least one body was that of a Caucasian. The genders were unknown.

Darkness forced detectives to delay their investigation until this morning. Deputies closed 14th Avenue, placed tarps on the bodies and guarded the site overnight.

The discovery follows a recent rash of killings in Spokane County.

A four-detective task force was formed Monday to investigate a string of murders of women who may have worked as prostitutes.

The remains of five of the women have been discovered since August, including 36-year-old Shawn L. Johnson, whose remains were discovered last week near a sewage treatment plant in Hangman Valley.

Investigators will not speculate if Friday’s discovery is linked to those murders, which may be the work of a serial killer.

Sheriff’s Department detectives also continue to investigate two other murders, including the Wednesday shooting death of 20-year-old Jeremy Moore in the Spokane Valley.

The same day, the body of 38-year-old Peter Pettersen was dumped on Upriver Drive. He had been shot in the chest.

, DataTimesILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: The two bodies found were identified as Laurie Ann Wason and Shawn A. McClenahan.