Victims in Lewiston double homicide identified as suspect’s ex-wife and daughter

Nov. 22, 2017 Updated Wed., Nov. 22, 2017 at 9:08 p.m.

By Ryan Collingwood ryanc@spokesman.com (509) 459-5473

Richard Carlin was arrested in Oregon on Tuesday on suspicion of killing of his ex-wife and daughter in Lewiston earlier in the day, according to Lewiston Police.

Raetta Carlin, 72, and 50-year-old Michelle Carlin died of “blunt force trauma and strangulation,” police said. The women’s bodies and a wounded Jonathan Spaeth, Michelle’s 20-year-old son, were found around 5 a.m. at the 600 block of Preston Avenue.

Richard Carlin, 73, fled the scene, police said, but was arrested in Stanfield, Oregon after authorities pinged his cell phone. Spaeth, who was stabbed in the back, was sent to St. Joseph’s Regional Hospital and has since been released.

Carlin, a registerred sex offender, is currently in Umatilla County jail awaiting extradition back to Lewiston, police said. He was arrested on two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. He’s being held on $1 millon bond.

This isn’t the first time Carlin has been accused of using a knife in a criminal act.

In 2003, according to court records, Carlin was accused of putting a knife up to a 12-year-old girl’s throat he as he molested her. He was sentenced to 10 years for child sexual abuse.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.