Mercer Island, Washington – A man and woman are facing charges for the murder of a 74-year-old man, Curtis Engeland, who disappeared last month in Washington state. The suspects were apprehended in Southern California and are set to be extradited back to Washington to stand trial for the homicide. Engeland was reported missing by his family on Feb. 24, a day after he was last seen at his home on Mercer Island, near Seattle.
Initially treated as a missing persons case with possible kidnapping involvement, the investigation took a grim turn when Engeland’s body was discovered near Cosmopolis, a city 100 miles away on the Pacific Coast. Authorities determined that Engeland had been fatally stabbed in the neck. The suspects’ cell phone GPS data played a crucial role in locating the victim’s body.
Investigators revealed that the suspects had known Engeland for several months before his demise, allegedly defrauding him financially. The police believe that the suspects confronted Engeland violently at his residence before fleeing with his vehicle on the night of Feb. 23. Following the murder, the suspects reportedly left the state, renting new vehicles and changing their cell phones to cover their tracks.
The accused individuals, Philip Brewer, 32, and Christina Hardy, 47, are believed to have orchestrated a plan to kill Engeland in order to move into his home and take control of his financial accounts. Shortly after the crime, the suspects made extravagant purchases using the victim’s funds. They even manipulated Engeland’s cell phone to create fake conversations between them, trying to deceive authorities into thinking he was alive.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed charges against Brewer and Hardy for their alleged involvement in the murder and financial fraud scheme. The suspects remain in custody as they await extradition to Washington to face justice for their crimes. Additional details regarding the case are yet to be disclosed by authorities. CBS News reached out to the Mercer Island Police Department for further information but has yet to receive a response.
This tragic incident sheds light on the dangers of financial exploitation and deceit, showcasing the lengths some individuals will go to for personal gain. The community mourns the loss of Curtis Engeland, whose life was senselessly taken in a calculated act of violence and greed. As the legal process unfolds, justice will be sought for the victim and accountability demanded for those responsible for his untimely death.