Body of man linked to mysterious 'bloody carpet' left on side of road is found

PUYALLUP, Wash. -- Pierce County sheriff’s deputies said Tuesday they found the decomposing body of a man whose blood was found on carpet and towels left along the side of a road in Auburn last month.

The body believed to be that of Brandon Shane Zomalt, 30, was found in a South Hill home.

It may be a gruesome end to a case that started Aug. 13 after a federal law enforcement officer spotted a fire in the Auburn area and called 911. When officers arrived, they discovered bloody carpet, flooring and towels along the side of the West Valley Highway.

Investigators said a man in a dark SUV was seen next to the carpeting before the SUV quickly left the area.

The Washington State Patrol Crime Lab, through DNA testing, matched the blood on the carpet and towels to Zomalt.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department said an anonymous tip lead them to a home on Military Road in South Hill on Monday night -- and the body, which, investigators said, had been there for some time.

“He actually called me before it all happened,” Zomalt’s friend Chris Williamson said Tuesday. “When I tried to call him back, I couldn’t get a hold of him.”

Williamson had to see it for himself – the home where his friend lived. Police say Zomalt's body was found covered in dried blood.

Neighbors in the small cul-de-sac alerted police, saying a dog was stuck inside and had been barking for days.

“It’s off the wall,” said neighbor Jared Cunningham, “It’s something straight out of 'CSI'.”

Police searched the home late Monday night and and found more evidence linked to the case in Auburn.

“The floor, the carpeting, so many things that were torn up and missing matched what was going on with Auburn PD,” said Pierce County sheriff's detective Ed Troyer.

Police are now looking for Zomalt’s roommate, registered sex offender Michael Boisselle.

While police are not calling Boisselle a suspect, investigators say they are actively searching for him.

Neighbors say they haven’t seen him in weeks.

“He’s the main renter that’s lived there since we’ve been there,” said Cunningham.

Williamson said Zomalt was a father of five and an artist. He can’t understand why anyone would want to hurt his friend.

“I don’t know what’s going through the mind of any man that would do anything like that,” said Williamson.

Police said both Boisselle and Zomalt have criminal records.

Police have also impounded an SUV that is connected to the case.

Investigators are treating the case as a homicide.

While investigators are convinced the body is that of Zomalt, they are awaiting final confirmation from the medical examiner.

Detectives want to hear from you if you know Zomalt’s activities leading up to August 13. The Auburn Police Department tip line is 253-288-7403.