Pierce County Victim Tied To Serial Killer Latest Evidence Of Spokane-Tacoma Connection

Nearly three months after she was found murdered in a Tacoma-area ditch, a woman whose life was a torment of drugs and prostitution has been officially declared a victim of Spokane’s serial killer.

On Friday, Spokane investigators added Connie Lynn LaFontaine to the list of victims, which includes nine other women with histories of drugs, prostitution or both.

Sheriff’s office spokesman Dave Reagan said the delay was the result of investigators “being thorough.”

LaFontaine’s family and Pierce County investigators said Friday’s announcement was not a surprise.

“It’s nice that they did that officially, but it’s not news to us,” said Ed Troyer, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office spokesman. “That’s what we’ve believed all along.”

LaFontaine’s father, Emil LaFontaine, said investigators from Pierce and Spokane counties had told him more than a month ago that his daughter’s death was linked to the serial killer.

The 35-year-old woman’s decomposing body was discovered in Parkland on Oct. 13 by Pierce County deputies searching for a missing elderly man.

LaFontaine had been shot in the head, like other victims Darla Sue Scott, Laurie Ann Wason, Shawn McClenahan, Shawn Johnson, Sunny Oster, Linda Maybin, Melinda Mercer and Michelyn Derning.

Another woman, Melody Murfin, has been declared a serial killer victim, although her body has never been found.

LaFontaine’s death is the latest in a chain of evidence showing a connection between Spokane and Tacoma in the murders.

Melinda Mercer was found dead in Tacoma in December 1997. Sunny Oster had moved from Pierce County to Spokane shortly before she was found dead in west Spokane last February.

In addition, a blond man labeled as a person of interest in the murders was last seen with a Seattle woman who was found murdered just north of the Pierce/Kitsap county line in 1995. Her death has not been officially linked with the serial killings.

LaFontaine spent much of her time moving between the two cities after coming to Spokane from Rolla, N.D., in the early 1980s.

About five years ago, LaFontaine moved from Spokane to Tacoma and married Rick Ellis. They were divorced in 1996.

She was seen in Spokane as recently as May 1997, when she was living in a West Central home.

Even with those connections, Pierce County investigators said Friday that they would not be involved with the task force investigation.

“There’s no reason for us to have anybody over there (in Spokane) at this time,” Troyer said.

LaFontaine was buried Nov. 14 in Rolla and her family now believes the mother of three is at peace. But, the rest of them are having trouble with her death.

“There’s always joy when you see your daughter. I can’t expect that joy … any more,” said Emil LaFontaine. “Anger comes into me like I’ve never had before.”

As the task force continues its investigation, Emil LaFontaine struggles to understand why his daughter died at the hands of a serial killer.

“If they can find this killer through what happened to my girl, then maybe that’s what has to be,” he said. “I’m really not that forgiving. I don’t forgive this.

“If I ever had a chance, I’d kill him.”

HOTLINE Anyone with information about Spokane’s serial killer or the victims should call the homicide task force hot line at (888) 211-4980, Crime Check at (509) 456-2233 or Secret Witness at (509) 327-5111.

Staff writer Adam Lynn contributed to this report.