WASHOUGAL, Wash. — A battalion chief of the Camas-Washougal Fire Department is facing a murder charge for his wife's death in January, the Clark County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) said.
Detectives arrested 49-year-old Kevin West on Friday. He is accused of killing his wife, Marcelle "Marcy" West.
Kevin West has been a firefighter for the department for 22 years, according to the City of Camas.
On Jan. 8, firefighters and Washougal police officers responded to a home on 34th Street. West had reported that his wife was having a seizure. He told the dispatcher that she had stopped breathing and was performing CPR, according to the sheriff's office. Medics provided aid when they arrived, but Marcy West died.
Several people concerned about the couple's relationship contacted local authorities in the days after her death, the sheriff's office said. A criminal investigation was launched after an autopsy showed indications of trauma to Marcy West's neck.
Detectives with both CCSO and the Washougal Police Department (WSD) met on Jan. 11. The sheriff's office said it took over the criminal investigation from WPD to avoid potential conflicts of interest because Kevin West is employed by the Camas-Washougal Fire Department.
The detectives conducted interviews with witnesses and Kevin West, and reviewed body-worn camera footage from the officers. They also served search warrants of the West's home and cell phones on Jan. 31.
During their investigation, detectives learned the couple had marital and financial problems.
"Based on a comparison of interviews with Kevin and the evidence found at the house and contained in Kevin and Marcy’s cellphones, it appears that Kevin had given detectives contradictory statements," CCSO said.
On March 20, the medical examiner determined Marcy West died from asphyxia with blunt trauma to the neck, and ruled her death a homicide.
Detectives arrested Kevin West on March 20 for murder in the first degree. He's expected to appear in court on Monday, March 25.
CCSO said the investigation is ongoing.
If you or someone you know have experienced domestic violence and need support, help is available:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788
- Call to Safety (local 24/7 crisis line): 503-235-5333
- UNICA (local 24/7 Spanish language crisis line): 503-232-4448