Deaths were from pipe bombs, ruled homicides

ATF assisting with investigations

MOSES LAKE - The Grant County Sheriff's Office announced the explosion deaths of two Moses Lake men were from pipe bombs and are being investigated as homicides.

William Arleigh Walker, 69, Moses Lake, died Aug. 2 from an explosion in a workshop at his home in eastern Moses Lake. Grant County Undersheriff John Turley confirmed the explosion was from a pipe bomb.

Javier Martinez Adame, 53, Moses Lake, died Aug. 3 from a suspected pipe bomb in his kitchen just outside the northern boundary of Moses Lake along Stratford Road.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and a federal prosecutor from the U.S. Department of Justice in Spokane are assisting in the investigation, said Turley.

"The evidence is being checked a few more times by the ATF labs," said Turley. "We're waiting to see if there are similarities in the material that made up the explosive devices. Both are believed to be pipe bombs."

The Grant County Sheriff's Office continues to lead the investigations with assistance from the Washington State Patrol Criminal Investigation Division, the FBI and ATF.

"There were more than 30 interviews conducted … of 20-some people," said Turley. "Someone knows something, it's just getting it hit on the head to finalize it."

The investigation continues while evidence is being examined.

"We might get lucky and find some DNA from the evidence," said Turley. "If we find a third person's DNA, we would be lucky."

Turley declined to comment on if a connection has been made between Adame and Walker.

Sheriff's office investigators are asking the public to help.

"Anyone with information in reference to either of these homicides is encouraged to call the Major Crimes Unit of the sheriff's office and speak to Detective Rectenwald or Detective Cook at area code 509-754-2011 extension 468 desk extensions 16 or 17," Turley stated.