Sunset Hill body ID’d; homicide likely cause

A body found Sunday is that of a 20-year-old Spokane woman reported missing April 2.

Police are investigating Kala Williams’ death as a homicide but declined to release further details Tuesday, citing the ongoing investigation.

Williams’ family told police she had recently been using drugs.

“They were concerned for her safety because of her lifestyle,” said Spokane police Capt. Dave Richards.

Williams’ body was found Sunday afternoon in a wooded area near the intersection of 14th Avenue and Milton Street.

Detectives processed the scene Sunday and Monday. An autopsy Tuesday confirmed Williams’ identity.

Williams’ boyfriend reported her missing April 2 and said he’d last seen her near a home on the 2300 block of West Broadway Avenue several weeks earlier.

Williams attended church with her mother twice a week, but police said April 10 that she hadn’t seen her daughter since March 23.

Richards said Tuesday that detectives have interviewed and re-interviewed several people and will continue to do so.

“All indications are that it’s not a random attack,” Richards said.

Her body was badly decomposed, which hindered identification by the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Richards said Williams was not believed to be homeless but was living a risky lifestyle because of her drug use.

“The elements that she’s going to be in contact with are going to be elements that are going to put her at risk,” Richards said. “That’s just one of the facts of life about that lifestyle.”

Anyone with information on Williams’ death is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.