1 dead, 1 in custody in I-90 homicide investigation near Ritzville

MOSES LAKE — Authorities are conducting a homicide investigation on I-90 just west of Ritzville after a woman’s body was found in the road with a screwdriver in her chest early Tuesday morning.

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) reportedly has a suspect in custody. The westbound lanes of I-90 are closed between Highway 21 and Deal Road and are expected to remain closed for several hours as the investigation continues.

A witness told Spokane’s KHQ that he pulled over while driving on I-90 about 3 a.m. Tuesday morning because he saw a man and a child standing on the side of the road and he wanted to make sure they were OK. He reported that the man and child, who he estimated to be about 3 years old, took off on foot when he tried to approach them. The witness told KHQ he then walked over to what he believed to be the man’s car, which was parked on the side of the road. He said he observed that the passenger window of the car was smashed in, and then he saw the woman’s body lying naked in the road with a screwdriver in her heart.

The witness also reported that a trucker also pulled over and witnessed the same details, which he confirmed with police.

The investigation is ongoing about 20 miles west of Ritzville. Westbound drivers on I-90 are being rerouted at Highway 21 onto Schrag Road. They can return to I-90 at Deal Road.

—Staff report