Crime & Safety

Body Found in Rattlesnake Ridge Bunker

SWAT teams have been moving cautiously, wary of possible booby traps, after locating a body in the bunker near Rattlesnake Ridge outside of North Bend, believed to be the hideout of Peter A. Keller, wanted in a double homicide and arson.

A Police SWAT team reported finding a body believed to be that of murder suspect Peter Keller in a bunker in the woods near North Bend, WA, around 10 a.m., Saturday, April 28, the King County Sheriff's Office said.

King County Sheriff’s spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West said the "TAC 30" SWAT team used an explosive to breach the roof of the heavily fortified hideout, which allowed enough access for the deputies to enter the bunker. Once inside deputies discovered a body that they said appeared to be Keller, and it appeared as though he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Keller has been wanted by police since last Sunday, when his wife, Lynettee Rocha Keller, and daughter, Kaylene Keller, Police used photos recovered from the home and tips from area hikers to track the location of the bunker, just near the trailhead of the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail near North Bend. Keller last week.

Find out what's happening in Mercer Islandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Sheriff’s Office will use its Bomb Disposal Unit to clear the bunker to ensure there are no explosives or booby traps. Once the bunker has been cleared detectives will enter the bunker and conduct a crime scene investigation, according to a press release from the sheriff's office.

The King County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an investigation to determine actual cause of death and positively identify the body.

Find out what's happening in Mercer Islandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

KING 5 News reported that officers saw lights go on in the bunker Friday night, and that several officers have been treated for exhaustion during the lengthy operation.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Mercer Island