Victim identified in Downtowner Motel homicide

The woman killed early Thursday morning at the Dowtowner Motel has been identified as Shawna Wyatt, 34. Spokane police believe Wyatt’s boyfriend strangled her at the motel, located at 165 S. Washington St. in downtown Spokane. Police received a call shortly before 6 a.m. of two people arguing in Room 203, Major Crimes Lt. Mark Griffiths said. Upon arrival, patrol officers found Wyatt dead in the room. The Spokane County Medical Examiner said she was strangled and ruled her death a homicide. Police arrested her boyfriend, Michael W. Baesman, 36, at a gas station near Illinois Avenue and Hamilton Street after receiving a tip about his location. He was arrested without incident, Griffiths said. Griffiths said police have probable cause for second-degree murder. At least half a dozen police cars had the motel surrounded and blocked off several hours after the woman’s body was found. Officers were inside the room and in the process of obtaining a search warrant for a more thorough search. Police spokesperson Monique Cotton said police do not believe a gun was involved, but the investigation is ongoing. Information about the woman’s cause and manner of death will be released by the medical examiner after an autopsy, which Griffiths said could take place as early as today. Griffiths said there were no outstanding suspects or witnesses to the crime, and police are focusing their investigation on the man in custody. Editor’s note: This article was changed on January 17, 2015 to correct the spelling of Shawna Wyatt. The original, incorrect spelling was provided by the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office.