Investigators in Elma seeking homeowner of burned house after body found outside
Jacob Eveland is being sought by the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office as a "person of interest" in an arson/homicide at his home in Elma. (Photo: Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office)
ELMA, Wash. -- Grays Harbor County Sheriff Rick Scott said Wednesday investigators are looking for Elma homeowner Jacob Eveland, whose house was found burning and the body of a roommate was discovered outside.
Scott said Eveland, 36, is a person of interest in the case, "where a homicide/arson occurred."
The body found alongside the burning house was a 47-year-old man living at Eveland's home, Scott said.
A flier distributed to the media by the sheriff's office described Eveland as white, 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, blue eyes and brown hair.
"Mr. Eveland is the homeowner of the residence where a homicide/arson occurred in Grays Harbor County at approximately 11:00 pm on 05-31-2016," the flier said. " Mr. Eveland’s current whereabouts are unknown. He was last seen at the residence at approximately 9:00 pm on 05-31-2016 and was in possession of a full-sized pickup, light colored, possibly gold or white with matching canopy."
Deputies came to the house fire on Hicklin Road in Elma after a neighbor reported hearing gunshots around 11 p.m. Tuesday. When they arrived, deputies found the body outside and a home engulfed by flames.