Police arrest roommate of woman found dead at recycling center

The housemate of a woman whose body was found at a recycling center earlier this month was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of first-degree murder.

Spokane police issued a warrant Thursday for the arrest of Eugene A. Jupp, 53, who shared a house with 79-year-old Stephanie Standen, who was found dead with blunt force injuries April 5 at Spokane Materials and Recycling Technology Center on Geiger Road.

A video released by KHQ shows a man the station identified as Jupp stopping by its building shortly before Spokane police said he turned himself in. He was then booked into the Spokane County Jail. Surveillance footage shows a man standing before the news station’s doors.

Investigators soon after Standen’s death located her residence on the South Hill, where they found evidence of foul play: bloodstains on the carpet, in the kitchen, on a shirt and on a recycling bin outside. Cleaning supplies were found on a counter, as well as a broken photo frame.

The Washington State Patrol crime lab confirmed Wednesday that the blood found in the home’s recycle bin was a DNA match to Standen, according to court documents.

Police initially questioned Jupp shortly after Standen was found dead. Jupp reportedly told police he and Standen weren’t close and he hadn’t seen in her three weeks. He told police he had been worried she might burn the house down.

Jupp had scratches on his face and arm at the time, police said.

An Adult Protective Services worker told detectives Standen had accused Jupp of “physically harming” her and threatening to kill her and her dog.