MLPD makes arrest in connection with Quincy case

QUINCY — Moses Lake Police arrested a Quincy man Wednesday after Quincy Police found a dead body at a home.

Martin Diaz, 30, was arrested behind Big 5 Sporting Goods in Moses Lake after Quincy Police developed a lead that Diaz might be in Moses Lake. Moses Lake detectives and patrol officers located Diaz in the 900 block of North Stratford Road, and, after a short foot pursuit, took him into custody, according to Moses Lake Police Department.

Law enforcement in Quincy was looking for Diaz for questioning after a body was found in Diaz’s bedroom Tuesday. Quincy Police had responded to a call at around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the 700 block of Rocky Avenue Northeast about a large bag and a foul odor emanating from Diaz’s bedroom. According to Quincy Police Chief Kieth Siebert, the call came from a family member.

Upon looking in the bag, police found a dead body, and a homicide investigation began, according to Quincy Police Department.

“The body has not been identified,” Siebert told the Columbia Basin Herald. “We’re not sure when the body showed up, or the relationship to the family.”

In fact, Siebert said the body was in such a condition that it was impossible to identify the gender of the remains.

“The Washington State Crime Lab is there with our officers helping with the investigation,” he said.

Siebert said Diaz had disappeared “sometime before police showed up” at the residence.

Siebert said the Grant County Coroner’s Office has scheduled an autopsy but was not sure when that will be completed.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at cfeatherstone@columbiabasinherald.com.