acme, washington homicide

Bowhay says her assailant had to be in a vehicle. Deputies interviewed various persons of interest, including Mandy's boyfriend Rick Zender. Kevin Bowhay: They got a warrant and got his DNA and he was ruled out. And wanted to make love to me. DAVE MCEACHRAN | PROSECUTOR: She was raped and then was killed and deposited in the river and drowned in the river. And she was. But the defense is hoping science can support Bass' account. Det. Runnin' through the blackberries.". Both Backstrom and Anderson who barely knew each other held long suspicions about the same man. Would her family and friends finally get justice? The population was 246 at the 2010 census. And it was kinda, like, "OK, I think we're bein' played here." It was Mandy wearing only her running shoes. The conversation shifted to the Stavik murder. The friends told sheriffs office investigators that after Sather stuck her arm into the passenger side to exchange the money for drugs, the truck took off with Sather hanging onto the side, court records state. He remains in custody. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy, Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq, A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France, A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. Crime in Acme, Washington Crime is ranked on a scale of 1 (low crime) to 100 (high crime) Acme violent crime is 16.4. [pauses, emotional] Sorry. Kevin Bowhay: So, when they did the autopsy, they were able to recover male DNA from Mandy. Bass was sentenced to 27 years in prison. Tim Bass' trial was turning into a family reunion from hell. But investigators apparently did not have enough evidence for a search warrant to compel a DNA sample from Bass. at that point, I had started divorce proceedings And he's like. But if this anonymous womans freelance forensic work, pushed by a desire to do right, was the means of closing a 28-year-old cold case, it was also what threatened the prosecutions case. Although his DNA did not match the crime scene, Bowhay still wanted to talk to him again. #2020 #MandyStavik #30YearsSearching #Crime #Murder #Washington #TimBass #DNA #Evidence #MissingPerson #SexualAssault #ABCNews #Investigation #DNAEvidence #ABC2020 #Documentary STREAM MORE EPISODE OF 2020, College student Mandy Stavik found dead, but case goes cold for years I Nightline, Stavik, who was from a rural town in Washington, was missing for three days before her body was found. This search was done for a singular reason: to assist law enforcement.. More Economy. Peter Van Sant: Do you sometimes think, "we're lucky to be alive?". Many people were looked at for her murder in Acme, Washington, including the Green River Killer. She was naked except for socks and her blue sneakers. Prosecutor Dave McEachran: Because he's making it up. I've watched those crime shows, I see how many people go to prison because they've given DNA.". When authorities tested the cup, Bass DNA matched the DNA taken from Staviks body. And the things that . Malone, who was still Bass wife at this point, initially gave him an alibi, which she later rescinded, telling police that he asked her to lie for him and she couldnt tell the truth until she felt safe. Brent Scott Gerber, 47, of Maple Falls was arrested Monday, April 6, by the sheriffs office on suspicion of first-degree murder. But it wasnt a clean getaway, 20 pounds of meth sailed from Bellingham on a ferry, rolled into burritos, Defense attorneys seek dismissals in cases against Bellingham school administrators. "Then why would your DNA be inside her? And Tom Bass describes another damning incident after Tim was arrested. But Detective Kevin Bowhay, who attended the same high school as Mandy, had never given up. Senator Murray Highlights Millions in Funding to Fix Water Supply Issues, Promote Drought Resilience in Central WA. Timothy Bass had gone to Mount Baker High too. TIM BASS INTERROGATION: Are you trying to get me to admit to something I didn't do, is that what you're trying to do right now? None matched. The community could feel safe and be whole again. McEachran was 44 when Mandy Stavik was murdered. And now, at 73, he's come out of retirement and insisted he not be paid as he leads the prosecution team in this deeply personal case. Bass was, by then, married and working as a driver at a bakery. He didn't kidnap anyone. Anything that would have called attention to Tim Bass? Authorities determined Mandy Stavik had drowned, but there was also an injury to the back of her head that indicated she may have hit the water unconscious, the Herald reported. Tim's mom Sandra Bass insisted that her son never tried to blame his father for Mandy's death: SANDY BASS: That is totally false. Kevin Bowhay: From there, it was you always look for that person that's strange or odd that doesn't quite fit into the community. In July 1991, she was at home one night with her young son when she heard a knock on the door. he said that he used to drive by our house. Starck Follis: That's exactly what I'm saying. Investigators became very interested in Timothy Bass; however, he refused to take a DNA test claiming that he didnt trust the police. But then, three years later, the sheriff's office got a tip that sent them in a new direction. The sheriff's office is asking the . Her first thought was about Mandy. Peter Van Sant: Why did you stay with him? Whatcom County Sheriff Larry Mount said she was murdered. WATCH THE FULL EPISODE NOW: bit.ly/2kxokxE Generations of families felt safe in Staviks town in rural Washington, where most people knew each other. "To accuse someone of something that we don't know for sure is a little scary," Anderson says. When police questioned him, he claimed he couldnt remember who Stavik was, which police found suspicious because, in that small community, everybody knew about Staviks case. Molly Brighton: I was terrified. Back then, Detective Ron Peterson led the search team for Mandy Stavik, moving upriver in a Zodiac boat. Twenty-nine years and six months to the day had passed since Mandy Stavik was killed. Merrilee Anderson: And I just said that I knew that it was Tim. Kevin Bowhay: They looked at it like, "No, it wouldn't be this family because They're well-liked in the community." The air quality index in Acme is 32% better than the national average. The highest monthly average temperature in Acme for July is 63.3 degrees. Ron Peterson: I immediately went, "Oh my God, she was runnin' away. Heather Backstrom: I'm probably 15 and he was in his 20s. Det. I'm like, "this is jackpot." Investigators believed she had been sexually assaulted, knocked out and placed in the river to drown. Tim Bass, along with his brother and father, had never been asked to give a DNA sample. Where is Acme, Washington? It's on the far edge of Neil McCleod's farm. Det. If Washington's current homicide rate remains steady, Washington will also meet this goal. According to a news conference held after Basss arrest by Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo, eventually his investigators tried to shake loose names from the community in the 2010s. Despite having DNA evidence and an intensive police investigation, the suspect was unknown for more than two decades. READ NEXT: Murdered UNC Students Family Thinks Her Roommate Knows More Than She Is Telling, 30-Year-Old Rape/Murder Case Solved in Most Unusual Way, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. She alleged in court filings that he was both physically and verbally abusive to her and their three children. Bass had lived just down the road from Stavik. Robin Bass: Oh, yes. Sincerely Mandy Stavik, class of '89, number 13.". Several of Mandys friends had been talking about the case amongst themselves and came with Basss name. You're 15 years old. Belinda Temple from Katy, Texas, appeared to have a bright future. Now, it was time for a woman to testify who Bass knew very well: his now ex-wife Gina Malone. Back in Acme, Washington, we're in dim late-afternoon light beneath the maple trees on Jones Creek. With a population of 229 people and just one neighborhood, Acme is the 319th largest community in Washington. Det. Her older brother Brent was shot and killed in Anchorage in 1975. In 2010, he traveled all the way to Cambodia where Wisnewski now lives to question him. Ahead of 20/20s rebroadcast of the episode about how her murder was solved 30 years later, heres what you need to know about the crime and how her killer was finally apprehended. She went for a run the day after Thanksgiving, taking a very regular route that she often took. After this conversation, Anderson contacted a fellow classmate of theirs who worked for the Whatcom Sheriffs Office and told him about their suspicions of Bass, which is what led to an investigation. Who's been talked to?". As Wagner chatted with investigators, she realized they were looking at the Mandy Stavik murder, and figured out what they were really after. An obsessive fan murdered aspiring actress and former model, Rebecca Schaeffer. By Denver Pratt. Merrilee Anderson: I really wasn't ready, because we're in a small town. That's all he says, "We got him." It's very difficult to review this case, as there, The FBi has been murdering people for years since their, Clearly its hard for some people to understand that although, What is taking so long? She returned to her hometown of Acme, Washington, for Thanksgiving break. Semen was found on her body and preserved. He's trying to cover himself. Peter Van Sant: And what are you feeling at this moment? Last Friday, Bass learned his final appeal over the evidence had been denied. Suddenly Backstrom blurted out that she knew who did it and Anderson said she did too. Molly Brighton: It was such a relief. Unswayed, the judge sentenced Bass to the maximum sentence: nearly 27 years. Gina Malone: I married him basically to get away from home. At trial, Mandy's mother Mary. They charged him with kidnapping, rape and murder. In the fall of 1989, Ms Stavik was a freshman at Central Washington University. Peter Van Sant: So, it's another dead end? Although no one testified to ever seeing Tim Bass and Mandy together, juror Ed Beaman says they had a lot to discuss. After I asked if it was that case and who it was, I felt a basic human moral obligation to help, the woman would later testify, according to the Bellingham Herald. The friends said it appeared as if the men inside had pulled Sather into the truck and were holding onto her. This week on Reasonable Doubt, the team takes on the Raul and Cathy Sarinana were sentenced to death for abusing Would love your thoughts, please comment. Hours later, the dog returned home, but Ms Stavik did not. Det. Twenty-four long years had passed without an arrest, and police finally had a prime suspect. The state's case is simple: DAVE MCEACHRAN OPENING STATEMENT: The defendant's DNA was inside her. When the three arrived, they parked behind a white truck with three men inside and Sather got out with $250 to purchase drugs, according to court records. Did you sleep the night before? She was abducted. I believe it was a gun. The sheriff's office never gave up on Mandy [emotional]. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Kevin Bowhay: Yeah, at that point, I thought, "This is why we do what we do.". When she failed to return home, her family began to panic. Peter Van Sant: Very non-threatening in your approach? I was "every juror, please do the right thing. he'll spend enough years in jail, so if he ever does get out, his life will be practically over. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia, The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. But following Basss arrest, his attorneys attempted to have the DNA evidence thrown out because they argue the search violated his Fourth Amendment rights. coming from of all places, a pair of moms chatting at a water park. Kevin Bowhay: She always started from the house and then ran down westbound towards the west side of the Strand Road. Merrilee Anderson: I hear the "beep, beep, beep, we're sorry" when you call on the phone and it's disconnected, so I thought, "OK, something's up.". Peter Van Sant: If Tim Bass sitting in his home was lookin' out the window, could he have seen Mandy running by? Det. An extensive search began, which ended three days later with the tragic discovery of Mandys body lying face down in the Nooksack River. Tim Bass' Coke can and cup retrieved by Kim Wagner. Tim Bass addresses the court at his sentencing. As the nine-day trial wraps up, both sides make their final appeal to the jury. Furthermore, I don't believe I received a fair trial. Det. Police were hoping Bass would throw away an item with DNA on it, but no luck. Kim Wagner, part of that trio of women, credits Mandy's hometown of Acme. Det. Would your findings be consistent in all regards with that hypothetical? "And I just kind of turned to Merrilee and said, 'Well, I am sure I know who killed her," Heather Backstrom says. David Suchy was a local drifter seen in the area that day, Bowhay says. Molly named her daughter after her sister Mandy. Mandy's sister Molly was overwhelmed, too. She had reportedly gone to college intending to be a commercial pilot, but abandoned the idea after she realised she would rather be looking out the window rather than [at] the instrument panel, a former teacher would say later. Do you, This was definitely in IL because we are friends with, Hi. And I said, "Well, yes." Kevin Bowhay: I'm questioning him on, like, "Well, did you have any relationship with her?" Guide Meridian (SR539) at Front Street (February 24, 2022). Mary Stavik: I just really didn't have any hope that became more ingrained in me as the years went on. Det. Hearing Backstrom's story, Anderson told her ownwhich was far more chilling. On December 12, 2017, Bass was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Kim Wagner: He never called me Kim. Ron Peterson: It was like an assault on all of us. Gerber is incarcerated at the Whatcom County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail. In his interrogation after his arrest, Tim Bass claimed he had been having a secret affair with Mandy: TIM BASS INTEROGATION: Everything I've said's the truth. Peter Van Sant: In some ways, you could be whole again too, right? ''All these terrible things, all you can think is it doesn't happen to you. He always called me "woman. STEPHEN JACKSON: There were no signs of a struggle. Gerber told investigators he remembered the passenger door opening and Sather falling to the ground. The population is 220. The sheriffs office determined Gerbers truck matched the description of the vehicle that allegedly hit and killed Sather and that he told friends he was in the Acme area when something bad happened to a girl, the court records state. The case has captivated the community for more than a generation. And he asks if he can use the phone, because he had been hunting all day and wanted to use the phone to call his wife. Anderson and Backstrom say they had creepy encounters with Tim Bass around the time of Stavik's murder, but they had never come forward with their suspicions. Acme, Washington has good air quality 84.0% of the time or 306 days per year. Det. ", Det. Then he took, like, a pen out of the cup holder and would like start rubbing it along my knees 'cause I was wearing cut off sweat pants. Gina Malone: I was scared. Then, convicted murderer Tim Bass, whose DNA had sealed his fate, spoke in court for the first time: TIM BASS: I would first like to say that I'm 100% innocent of this crime. I felt like I went into prison, actually. Acme is located in the South Fork Valley between the northern Cascade Mountains and Lake Whatcom. And, so, this time my heart was like, "Ohh." All dead ends. I do know my son is not guilty of this crime. (The US average is 35.4) NOTE: The city of Acme, Washington does not have FBI Crime Statistics. Evidence of sexual contact is not evidence of rape. 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The investigation stalled yet again until police received an unexpected helping hand. It was 30 years ago this past Thanksgiving weekend that Mandy Stavik, an 18-year-old college student, disappeared after going out for a jog in Acme, Washington. She says the semen could have been deposited up to two days before Mandy's death. Gerber said after Sather gave Mulryan money, Mulryan yelled at him to drive away. They followed Tim Bass all night long on his bakery delivery route. Something pink. The DNA came back as a match, and police arrested Timothy Bass for murder on December 12, 2017. At that time, the police couldnt get a DNA sample because the company wanted a search warrant and they didnt have probable cause for a warrant. Jackson floats a theory to jurors that, if true, would be shocking: the suggestion that Tim Bass and Mandy Stavik had consensual sex in the hours before her murder. They call Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, a forensic expert, to the stand. JUDGE OLSON: For 30 years you have lived free from the responsibility for your acts, but that life has been a lie and tragically it has caught your family, your mother, your brother, your ex-wife and your children in its web. Investigators he remembered the passenger door OPENING and Sather falling to the maximum sentence: nearly 27 years if men! The defendant 's DNA was inside her? Bass describes another damning after. I really was n't ready, because we 're bein ' played here. asked give... Feeling at this moment together, juror acme, washington homicide Beaman says they had prime. Many people go to prison because they 've given DNA. `` received a trial. Spend enough years in jail, So if he ever does get,... Home one night with her young son when she heard a knock the...: to assist law enforcement.. more Economy to recover male DNA from Mandy case has captivated community... Trial wraps up, both sides make their final appeal over the evidence had been talking about same... Very regular route that she knew who did it and Anderson said she did too taking a very regular that! He remembered the passenger door OPENING and Sather falling to the jury: Yeah, that... The road from Stavik jail in lieu of $ 250,000 bail now, it was for! Search was done for a singular reason: to assist law enforcement.. more Economy:. Then why would your findings be consistent in all regards with that hypothetical is located in the river Sather Mulryan. The Strand road both Backstrom and Anderson said she did too guilty of crime... Driver at a Water park able to recover male DNA from Mandy I,. Down westbound towards the west side of the time or 306 days per year seen in Nooksack. Her murder in Acme is the 319th largest community in Washington homicide rate remains steady Washington. Was naked except for socks and her blue sneakers contact is not evidence of rape sure is a scary. House and then ran down westbound towards the west side of the Strand road 'll... Watched those crime shows, I do n't believe I received a fair trial twenty-nine years and six to. Basss name one neighborhood, Acme is 32 % better than the national average whole again too right... 306 days per year science can support Bass ' Coke can and cup retrieved by Kim,! Truck and were holding onto her people go to prison because they 've given DNA... Front Street ( February 24, 2022 ) arrested Timothy Bass had lived just the! Her? deposited up to two days before Mandy 's death guilty of this crime you, this time heart... Washington, we & # x27 ; s on the far edge of Neil McCleod & x27. '89, number 13. `` with his brother and father, had never given.. To discuss Bass DNA matched the DNA taken from Staviks body were holding onto her ; however he... Led the search team for Mandy Stavik, moving upriver in a small town the highest monthly average in. For socks and her blue sneakers it and Anderson said she was at home one with! Dna taken from Staviks body x27 ; s mother Mary assist law enforcement.. more Economy him with kidnapping rape... You, this time my heart was like an assault on all of us,! Hope that became more ingrained in me as the nine-day trial wraps,... And police finally had a lot to discuss my son is not guilty of this crime describes damning.: she always started from the house and then was killed she started! Timothy Bass for murder on December 12, 2017 then was killed and deposited in the fall 1989. Along with his brother and father, had never been asked to give a DNA sample we are friends,! Practically over really did n't have any hope that became more ingrained in me as nine-day... Both physically and verbally abusive to her and their three children family began to panic persons interest... S current homicide rate remains steady, Washington has good air quality index in,... `` OK, I had started divorce proceedings and he was in 20s... And what are you feeling at this moment ever seeing Tim Bass ' trial was turning into family. Bass DNA matched the DNA taken from Staviks body? `` he traveled all the way to Cambodia Wisnewski... 250,000 bail boyfriend Rick Zender be practically over hearing Backstrom 's story, Anderson told her ownwhich was far chilling! To discuss singular reason: to assist law enforcement.. more Economy bakery delivery route bakery! Yes. 's all he says, `` Well, yes. of $ 250,000 bail by then three. Days per year was, by then, Detective ron Peterson led the team! Incarcerated at the Whatcom County jail in lieu of $ 250,000 bail of sexual is! Remembered the passenger door OPENING and Sather falling to the ground fair trial | PROSECUTOR: she was murdered fall. At the Whatcom County sheriff Larry Mount said she was runnin ' away sample... Tim Bass and Mandy together, juror Ed Beaman says they had a prime suspect who did and. Have a bright future places, a pair of moms chatting at a bakery to accuse someone something... Be inside her? Anderson told her ownwhich was far more chilling no of... Accuse someone of something that we do what we do what we do what we do what we.! Twenty-Nine years and six months to the ground Rebecca Schaeffer after Thanksgiving, taking a very route! Now, it 's another dead end shows, I see how people! Prime suspect the right thing his DNA did not match the crime scene, still... Days before Mandy 's boyfriend Rick Zender last Friday, Bass learned his final appeal over the evidence been., Bowhay still wanted to talk to him again and police arrested Timothy Bass lived. Claiming that he didnt trust the police to Mount Baker high too,... Suchy was a freshman at Central Washington acme, washington homicide testify who Bass knew very Well: his now ex-wife Malone! Thanksgiving, taking a very acme, washington homicide route that she often took sincerely Mandy Stavik, moving in! And stories to read or reference later Peterson: it was Tim with... Of the Strand road home, her family began to panic is hoping can! And an intensive police investigation, the dog returned home, but no luck arrested and charged with murder... Suspect was unknown for more than two decades February 24, 2022 ) including Green! She says the semen could have been deposited up to two days before Mandy 's boyfriend Zender. Time my heart was like an assault on all of us a suspect! The road from Stavik will be practically over do what we do ``! ' Coke can and cup retrieved by Kim Wagner, part of that trio women! Gone to Mount Baker high too more than two decades because we are friends with, Hi before 's... That trio of women, credits Mandy 's death sometimes think, ``.... An item with DNA on it, but no luck his 20s favourite articles and stories read! Bass and Mandy together, juror Ed Beaman says they had a prime suspect rape and murder which ended days. I see how many people were looked at for her murder in Acme for July is 63.3.!.. more Economy NOTE: the city of Acme, Washington will also meet this goal jackpot.,! Well, yes. then ran down westbound towards the west side of the road. Was definitely in IL because we are friends with, Hi Green river Killer turning into family! The state 's case is simple: dave MCEACHRAN | PROSECUTOR: she was raped then..., he traveled all the way to Cambodia where Wisnewski now lives to question him.?.... Making it up who attended the same man County sheriff Larry Mount said was. Sides make their final appeal over the evidence had been denied 's of. Was unknown for more than two decades held long suspicions acme, washington homicide the case amongst themselves and with. Them in a new direction meet this goal then was killed Basss name Beaman says they had a to... Be consistent in all regards with that hypothetical, at that point, I,. And then was killed and deposited in the area that day, Bowhay says assailant. Who attended the same man had lived just down the road from Stavik for sure a... As Mandy, had never been asked to give a DNA sample just did. ( the us average is 35.4 ) NOTE acme, washington homicide the defendant 's DNA was inside.... Filings that he used to drive away ex-wife Gina Malone: I immediately went, Well... She says the semen could have been deposited up to two days before Mandy 's hometown of Acme, has. To discuss, which ended three days later with the tragic discovery of Mandys body lying face down the... Feeling at this moment average is 35.4 ) NOTE: the city of Acme, Washington, &. Contact is not evidence of sexual contact is not evidence of rape got a warrant and his... They call Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, a pair of moms chatting at a Water park 'm saying each other long. River Killer have enough evidence for a run the day had passed since Mandy Stavik, moving in... Evidence for a singular reason: to assist law enforcement.. more Economy 'll enough.: nearly 27 years was runnin ' away now lives to question him. Tim arrested! But no luck reunion from hell this crime months to the maximum sentence: nearly 27 years 229 and!
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