A Snohomish man has been taken into custody for “investigation of murder” by Seattle police after body parts found Saturday in a Central District recycling bin have been linked to a missing Renton Woman.
According to a post on the Seattle Police Department blotter website, John Robert Charlton, 37, was booked into King County Jail Monday afternoon after being taken into custody in Snohomish County.
Seattle police have “tentatively identified” the remains as belonging to a Renton woman who was reported missing Saturday morning using a photograph provided by Renton Police.
According to the report, Seattle Police worked with Renton Police to serve a search warrant in Renton, at which time evidence was recovered and Charlton was identified as the suspect.
The investigation is continuing, but police do not believe there are other subjects.
The woman has not yet officially been identified.
The Seattle Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a silver 2015 Toyota Highlander with Washington plate AUW3230.
The Renton Police department did respond to requests for comment on Monday.
The following is the full post from the Seattle Police Blotter blog:
On Saturday, April 9th, at approximately 4:19 PM, a citizen living in the 1600 block of 21st Ave reported finding what he believed to be human remains in his recycling container. The items in question were inside plastic bags.
Patrol officers were immediately dispatched and responded to the scene. The officers externally examined the items and they too believed that the bags possibly contained human remains. The Homicide Stand-By sergeant was called and responded to the scene at approximately 5:00 PM. Upon further examination by the Homicide Sergeant, the items were confirmed to be human.
The Homicide protocols were then activated. The Homicide Unit and CSI joined the investigation. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office took custody of the remains.
That evening, at approximately 11:00 PM, the Homicide Unit learned that the Renton Police Department had taken a Missing Person report at 1010 hours that morning.
The Homicide Unit obtained a copy of the report from the Renton Police Department. A photograph of the missing person was obtained by the Homicide Unit.
Based on observations by the investigators, the victim was tentatively identified.
In cooperation with the Renton Police Department, a search warrant was served in their jurisdiction.
Evidence was recovered during the service of the search warrant.
Based on the investigation, a suspect was identified.
Early this morning, as a result of this on-going investigation an adult male suspect was taken into custody in Snohomish County.
The suspect was interviewed by Seattle Homicide Detectives and has been booked into the King County Jail for the “Investigation of Murder”.
The suspect has been identified as John Robert Charlton, white, male, DOB: 12/28/78 , 37 years of age.
The Homicide Unit served an additional search warrant in Snohomish County.
This investigation is on-going. However, at this time we do not believe there are any outstanding suspects.
The Seattle Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating an outstanding vehicle, a silver 2015 Toyota Highlander (similar to the one pictured below) bearing Washington plate AUW3230.
The King County Medical Examiner will confirm and release the victim’s identity.
