Unknown Body Found; Task Force Called Out

A transient discovered a body Tuesday near train tracks in Spokane’s East Central neighborhood, police said.

The body was found near the intersection of Crestline and Main, 20 to 30 yards from the roadway in a vacant lot behind Systems Technology Inc., 208 N. Crestline.

The body was partially covered with debris and other unidentified materials, Spokane Police Capt. Steve Braun said.

Braun would not say what gender the body was, if it was clothed or how long it had been there.

The discovery was reported to police about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, although investigators said the transient had been in the area for some time before calling officers.

Braun said that nothing recovered from the scene Tuesday led detectives to immediately link the death with those of seven women believed to have been murdered by a serial killer.

But detectives from Spokane’s homicide task force were at the scene. It is standard procedure for those detectives to investigate all unnatural deaths, Braun said.

The task force is investigating the murders of 20 women in the Spokane area since 1984. At least six killings in Spokane and one in Tacoma have been linked to the same killer or killers.

Spokane police are looking for Melody Ann Murfin, who has been missing since May 10. Murfin has ties to drugs and prostitution like the other serial killer victims.

On Tuesday, roadblocks and crime scene tape sealed off an area from Napa to Lee and from Main to the railroad tracks on the north.

A handful of people who said they live in the neighborhood stood near the area while patrol officers checked everyone’s identification.

Brad Moulton, who lives on Crestline, said it wasn’t uncommon to see police in the neighborhood. But he was shocked they found a body.

“This isn’t the best neighborhood,” Moulton said. “But you’d never think they’d find a body 100 feet from your house.”

Officers were expected to guard the scene overnight. A full investigation into the death will begin this morning, Braun said.