Homicide suspect seen in California

LOS ANGELES – Convicted rapist John Wayne Thomson, who is suspected in the apparent homicides of missing Spokane resident James Ehrgott and Longview, Wash., resident Lori Hamm, was recently seen in California.

A federal warrant charging Thomson, 46, with fleeing to avoid prosecution was issued Wednesday in Washington, the FBI said.

Thomson was wanted by federal and local authorities in connection with the July disappearances of Washington residents Hamm and Ehrgott , said Laura Eimiller, an FBI spokeswoman in Los Angeles.

A body found earlier this week on a rugged Cowlitz County, Wash., hillside was identified Thursday as that of Hamm, 36, who disappeared July 16, the county coroner and sheriff’s office said.

Hamm and Ehrgott are unrelated.

Thomson was recently seen in Riverside County, east of Los Angeles, but he may have fled the state or the country, authorities said.

Thomson has an extensive criminal rap sheet including three felony convictions for rape and is believed to be armed and dangerous, Eimiller said. Thomson has spent time in jail and a psychiatric hospital and moves from place to place, she said.