Man arrested in Mattawa homicide

EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff's Office arrested a Kennewick man for first-degree murder on Wednesday after being extensively interviewed earlier that day as a person of interest in a Mattawa-area homicide this summer, authorities said.

Marcus Dean Quesnell, 29, was arrested by Detective Kim Cook of the GCSO after being interviewed in Kennewick in connection with the ongoing homicide investigation of 22-year-old Jonathan M. Carrico of Desert Aire, Chief Deputy John Turley said.

GCSO investigators are also continuing to look at another potential suspect in connection with Carrico's death. That suspect is currently jailed on another charge in Yakima County, Turley said.

Carrico's decomposed remains were found Oct. 14 by a south Grant County orchardist in an underground root cellar about two miles southwest of Mattawa.

Grant County Coroner Jerry Jasman determined that Carrico died from a gunshot wound to the forehead.

Turley said a .22-caliber slug was found in Carrico's skull.

Carrico and Quesnell were apparently involved in some methamphetamine drug dealings this summer, Turley said.

Carrico was reportedly living out of his car in the area and was performing odd jobs, Turley said.