Update 4/18

Detectives are investigating after human remains were found Monday morning at a recycling center in the 200 block of South Hanford Street. Police believe it is probable the remains are connected to the ongoing investigation into the murder of the 40-year-old Renton woman.

UPDATE 4/15:

SPD Homicide detectives are investigating after sanitation discovered human remains in a container in the 900 block of 20th Avenue shortly after 9:45 AM.

At this time, police are investigating a probable connection to the murder of the 40-year-old Renton woman.

UPDATE:

Officers recovered the Toyota Highlander in Downtown Seattle late Monday night. Anyone with additional information in this case is asked to call the Homicide Tip Line at (206)233-5000.

Original:

On Saturday, April 9th, at approximately 4:19 PM, a citizen living in the 1600 block of 21st Ave reported finding what he believed to be human remains in his recycling container. The items in question were inside plastic bags.

Patrol officers were immediately dispatched and responded to the scene. The officers externally examined the items and they too believed that the bags possibly contained human remains. The Homicide Stand-By sergeant was called and responded to the scene at approximately 5:00 PM. Upon further examination by the Homicide Sergeant, the items were confirmed to be human.

The Homicide protocols were then activated. The Homicide Unit and CSI joined the investigation. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office took custody of the remains.

That evening, at approximately 11:00 PM, the Homicide Unit learned that the Renton Police Department had taken a Missing Person report at 1010 hours that morning.

The Homicide Unit obtained a copy of the report from the Renton Police Department. A photograph of the missing person was obtained by the Homicide Unit.

Based on observations by the investigators, the victim was tentatively identified.

In cooperation with the Renton Police Department, a search warrant was served in their jurisdiction.

Evidence was recovered during the service of the search warrant.

Based on the investigation, a suspect was identified.

Early this morning, as a result of this on-going investigation an adult male suspect was taken into custody in Snohomish County.

The suspect was interviewed by Seattle Homicide Detectives and has been booked into the King County Jail for the “Investigation of Murder”.

The suspect has been identified as John Robert Charlton, white, male, DOB: 12/28/78 , 37 years of age.

The Homicide Unit served an additional search warrant in Snohomish County.

This investigation is on-going. However, at this time we do not believe there are any outstanding suspects.

The Seattle Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating an outstanding vehicle, a silver 2015 Toyota Highlander (similar to the one pictured below) bearing Washington plate AUW3230.

The King County Medical Examiner will confirm and release the victim’s identity.