Man accused of strangling woman and burning her body is set free

YAKIMA, Wash. -- A man deputies say is responsible for the killing of a 33-year-old woman whose body was found burned in a central Washington field over 10 days ago, has been released without charges for now.

KIMA-TV reports Yakima County Deputy Prosecutor Steven Jackson says more evidence needs to be gathered in the case involving Jennifer Patterson before it can move forward.

The Yakima County Sheriff's Office linked a 56-year-old man to the murder on May 4.

Patterson's decomposed body was found near the man's home by people scouting Tieton for a wedding photo location.

Responding deputies found her body with a lighter and a gas can nearby.

Yakima County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Casey Schilperoort says the coroner found she had been strangled and sexually assaulted before her body was set on fire.