Sunday, 16 Jun 2024

Wash. Mom and 3 Kids Found Dead in Home After Fire, and Man Who Ran From Scene Is Arrested

After extinguishing a trailer fire in Port Angeles, Washington, early Saturday morning, firefighters discovered the bodies of a 34-year mother and her three young children — and now, the woman’s husband is facing a host of criminal charges.

PEOPLE confirms Timothy Wetherington, 34, has been taken into custody for his alleged role in the mobile home blaze, charged with one count of first-degree arson and four counts of first-degree murder.

Police in Port Angeles have yet to positively identify the remains recovered from the scorched trailer, but relatives have launched a GoFundMe campaign and named the four dead as Valerie Kambeitz, 34, Lilly Kambeitz, 9, Emma Kambeitz, 6, and Jayden Kambeitz, 5.

Authorities have confirmed Valerie and her three children remain unaccounted for.

“We are shocked and horrified about [what] has happened to our family,” reads the GoFundMe page, which will help cover funeral costs for all four victims. “We can not understand how someone could do this to them.”

Police said witnesses spotted Wetherington running from the fire Saturday morning.

Wetherington, Valerie’s husband, lived with the family. Investigators did not say whether he is the father of her children.

A motive has not been established.

Wetherington was found Saturday evening, camped in the woods not far from the crime scene.

After questioning, Wetherington was booked into the Clallam County Jail, where he remains without bail.

He has yet to enter pleas to the charges he faces, and it was unclear Monday if he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

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KIRO reports that Wetherington is a Level III sex offender, with previous convictions for child molestation and burglary with sexual motivation.

The station also notes a vigil is planned for the family Monday at the Port Angeles City Pier at 5 p.m.

Anyone with information relevant to this case is asked to call (360) 452-4545.


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