Man who reported mother missing arrested for her murder

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his elderly mother, whom he reported missing to police Saturday.

William W. Bassett Jr., 54, called police at 11:30 a.m. to report that when he woke up he discovered his mother, 73-year-old Wanda Bush, was missing from the home they shared in the 3400 block of West Hoffman Avenue.

Bush did not drive, had difficulty getting around and used a walker, Bassett told police. He said he last saw her at 1:30 p.m. Friday.

Officers launched a search and put out a public plea for information on Bush’s whereabouts Saturday afternoon. They soon called in Major Crimes detectives.

“They encountered some information that aroused their suspicions,” Capt. Eric Olsen said of the officers who first responded to the home.

Detectives were waiting for a search warrant Saturday evening before entering the home and hoped to recover Bush’s body.

“We have a feeling we know where it is,” Olsen said.

Bassett has been booked into the Spokane County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder.