Crime & Safety

Police Blotter: More Details Released Over Human Skull Found on Whidbey Island

Police Blotter (Feb 28 - March 1): Mercer Island Police release report of human skull found on Whidbey Island.

The released the case file and follow-up report to Mercer Island Patch concerning the part of a human skull discovered and stored by a Mercer Island woman after she found the partial remains on Whidbey last year around Thanksgiving.

The 43-year-old woman was contacted by the Mercer Island Police Department the morning of Feb. 2, after she had submitted a found property report stating she had discovered what she.

The woman told investigators that she was walking on the beach with a friend near the intersection of Maxwelton Road and Sills Road. She said she had brought the skull home with her and had forgotten about it until she read a story in the that possessing a human skull is a felony.

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

Police took custody of the partial cranium and contacted both the Island County Sheriff's Office and the King County Medical Examiner, to whom the custody of the skull was later transferred to.  

Island County Sheriffs Det. Ed Wallace later contacted the MIPD and said the location of the discovery is frequently the site where tidal flows wash human remains ashore, including severed feet and bodies. Island County Sheriffs are currently investigating several missing persons cases.

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

Monday, Feb. 28

(Theft) reported 11:41 a.m., An 87-year-old resident of a home on the 7800 block of SE 30th Street reported the theft of several of her belongings. Items stolen include a red leather wallet containing 3 credit cards, $120 in cash and her drivers license. Total losses were valued at $170. 

Tuesday, March 1

(Warrant Arrest) A police patrol stopped a 66-year-old resident driving a Chrysler Crossfire at 8:36 a.m. suspected of driving with a suspended license and a check of his registration showed a county warrant was issued for his arrest. The man's vehicle was secured in the Walgreens parking lot and he was booked into the county jail in Seattle.

(Malicious Mischief) Police are investigating the vandalism of the interior of an apartment building elevator on the 7700 block of Sunset Highway. A building manager contacted police at 10:23 a.m. to report an unknown suspect had damaged an interior foam cover of the elevator with a blade, causing approximately $500 in damages. 

(Theft) The residents of a home on the 5000 block of East Mercer Way contacted police at 6:52 p.m. to report the alleged theft of several items by their own 19-year-old daughter. Several pieces of gold jewelry and precious stones, an iPod Touch, Sony digital camera and a guitar were reportedly stolen throughout the years by the young woman to sell in exchange for drugs.


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