Camas, Washington – A Camas-Washougal Fire Department battalion chief has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife in January, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. Kevin West, 49, allegedly strangled his wife, Marcelle “Marcy” West, 48, on January 8 as reported by the sheriff’s office.
West was taken into custody on Friday and is set to appear in Clark County Superior Court to face the allegations on Monday, according to jail records. It was on January 8, at 4:27 a.m., when first responders from the Camas-Washougal Fire Department and Washougal Police Department were called to the Wests’ residence on 34th Street. Upon arrival, Kevin West informed the responders that his wife was experiencing a seizure and had stopped breathing. Despite efforts to resuscitate her, Marcy West was pronounced dead at 5:11 a.m.
Following Marcy West’s death, concerns were raised about the nature of her passing, leading to a standard death investigation by the police department and Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office. The autopsy on Marcy West revealed signs of trauma to her neck, prompting a criminal investigation which was later transferred to the sheriff’s office due to Kevin West’s employment with the fire department.
Detectives conducted a thorough investigation, including interviews with Kevin West, review of body-worn camera footage from police officers, and examination of photos from the initial death investigation. Subsequently, search warrants were executed on the Wests’ residence, cellphones, and online service providers to gather more evidence.
During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Kevin and Marcy West were facing marital and financial difficulties. Kevin West’s contradictory statements raised further suspicion, ultimately leading to the medical examiner determining the cause of death as asphyxia with blunt trauma to the neck, ruling it a homicide. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to uncover more details surrounding the tragic event.