Spokane Valley death likely a homicide

A 25-year-old man was found dead this morning in what Spokane Valley authorities are investigating as a possible homicide. Spokane County Sheriff’s detectives believe they know the identity of the deceased man but don’t know how he died, sheriff’s spokesman Deputy David Thornburg said in a news release. Thornburg said he doesn’t expect any more details about the case until Monday. A driver discovered the man at about 6:20 a.m. on Raymond Road near the intersection with Mission Avenue. “The male victim was found in the roadway only wearing a pair of shorts,” Thornburg said. The man had injuries consistent with being struck or dragged by an unknown hit-and-run vehicle, Thornburg said. “There was no evidence of the male being shot or stabbed,” Thornburg said. “There was a pair of shoes and blue jeans found near the body, but there was no identification to positively identify the male.” He did have a number of unique tattoos that lead investigators to believe they know his name, but the sheriff’s office will not release that name until his family can be notified, Thornburg said. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday. “Given that the exact manner of death is unknown at this time, investigators are treating this incident as a homicide,” Thornburg said.