Spokane man found dead days after assault by acquaintance

A Spokane man was found dead in his home eight days after he was assaulted by an acquaintance, but officials have not determined a cause of death.

Edward E. Weed, 46, died in his home in northwest Spokane sometime after he was assaulted on Oct. 29. His mother found his decomposing body on Nov. 6 and called police. Weed’s dog was found locked in a bathroom. It was dehydrated but alive, despite having suffered multiple injuries to its head.

Police arrested Michael E. Harmon, 32, on Saturday on charges of robbery, burglary and assault. He told investigators he’d had a physical altercation with Weed at Weed’s home on Oct. 29. According to court documents, Weed’s mother told police Harmon had previously had a relationship with her son.

Spokane County Medical Examiner Dr. John Howard told investigators that injuries he found as a result of the assault, which included a fractured nose and cuts on Weed’s forehead and cheek, would not have been enough to kill him. A cause of death is pending the results of additional tests, including a toxicology analysis.

According to court documents, Harmon told police he backhanded or punched Weed in the face several times, apparently rendering him unconscious. Weed fell onto a couch in his house, and Harmon took several items from the residence, including Weed’s phone and packs of cigarettes.

Harmon returned to Weed’s house, at 5418 N. Ash St., on Nov. 3 and found Weed in the same position, with “black hands.” He told police he believed Weed was dead but he did not want to call 911. Instead, he bagged an Xbox, toilet paper and other items and left them in Weed’s house, intending to return later.

Harmon also told police he had taken 12 Adderall pills, which are often used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, before assaulting Weed.

Harmon has seven previous misdemeanor domestic violence convictions for assault and violating protection and no-contact orders. He pleaded guilty to a felony domestic violence charge in September 2012 in a case that did not involve Weed.

He is being held in the Spokane County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bond.

Toxicology results for Weed are expected in about two months.