Moses Lake woman's cold case reopened

David A. Cole

Herald staff writer

State asks county to review missing woman investigation

EPHRATA — Almost six years ago in Moses Lake, law enforcement authorities were told by Sylvia Eastham's live-in boyfriend that after returning from work one day he found the woman gone from the home they were sharing.

Since that day in February of 2000 when she became a missing person, leaving personal items behind in their Cascade Valley home, authorities have not been able to find the now 57-year-old Eastham.

Recently, Rick Grabenstein, an investigator with the state Attorney General's Homicide Investigation Tracking System, asked the Grant County Sheriff's Office to re-open their missing person investigation into Eastham's whereabouts.

"This is one of those cases that had the potential to fall between the cracks," said GCSO detective Steve Martinez.

Eastham's live-in boyfriend at the time, Daniel Clevenger, 46, is believed to be avoiding law enforcement on some unrelated misdemeanor warrants, he said.

Clevenger was last contacted by authorities near Moses Lake in May of 2002 and, based on interviews of former neighbors and landlords, is believed to be living within either Douglas or Chelan counties, possibly in Wenatchee, Martinez said.

"We think he's back in that area," he said.

Clevenger last worked for a heating and air conditioning company in the Moses Lake area, authorities believe, but they don't know the name of the company.

Martinez said Eastham moved to Moses Lake around 1997-98 from Wenatchee and, based on statements from neighbors, appeared to stay home most of the time and did not work.

It is unknown if Eastham was involved in any criminal activity and, according to records obtained by the GCSO, she does not have outstanding warrants, he said.

During the missing person investigation, officials in Texas had been contacted to gather information about Eastham's family history in the state. Martinez believes that Eastham has at least two adult-aged children, but does not know their names or where they may be living.

Martinez said investigators have no evidence to indicate Eastham had ongoing medical problems at the time or suffered from any sort of mental disorder.

The circumstances under which Eastham went missing, including the hasty manner of leaving behind personal items in her house, has continued to raise suspicion, Martinez said.

The GCSO is asking anyone with information relating to the whereabouts of either Eastham or Clevenger to contact detective Martinez at (509) 754-2011 extension 468-15.