A 62-year old Burien man is in custody related to the murder of two people after their remains were found in suitcases in West Seattle in June, the Seattle Police Department announced on Thursday, Aug. 20.
On Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 19. 2020, Seattle Police detectives arrested the suspect at a residence located near Ambaum Blvd. S. and S. 168th in Burien (map below).
The suspect was interviewed and then booked into the King County Jail.
We received numerous reports of major police activity around this location, including SWAT/TEC team, undercover police, digging in a yard and more.
One neighbor who wishes to remain anonymous told us they “literally never would have thought he’d do something like that,” and “there’s been a crazy amount of cars all over his property, which was definitely out of the norm for him.”
Police say that this remains an active and ongoing investigation.
Seattle Police homicide detectives, working closely with the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, on July 1 identified the remains of two individuals found inside suitcases on June 19 at Duwamish Head in West Seattle as Austin Wenner, 27, of Kent and Jessica Lewis, 35, of Federal Way.
Police responded after receiving a call of a suspicious suitcase on the beach. Another bag was located in the water. Once the contents were determined to be remains, detectives responded to begin their investigation.