³ÉÈËXÕ¾

CRIME BLOTTER

Man’s body found in South Sound nature preserve; Pierce County’s first murder of 2025

Jan 6, 2025, 5:44 AM | Updated: 8:42 am

pierce county body...

The body of a man was found in South Sound nature preserve in Pierce County. (Photo courtesy of ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ 7)

(Photo courtesy of ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ 7)

The body of a man was found at a walking preserve in Pierce County. Now the search is on for the man’s killer.

The grisly discovery was made just after 7:30 a.m. in the Parkland Prairie Nature Preserve on Yakima Avenue South. The body of a man believed to be in his 30s was found in the brush. This is an area well-used by neighbors. Some of them refer to it as a dog park. Plus, it was found in an area not far off the trail.



The discovery of the body of a man is unsettling news in this quiet neighborhood in the 13000 block of Yakima Avenue South.

“We’ve had cars on fire out here, abandoned cars,” Sarah Simmers, a neighbor, said. “We have a lot of homeless people who live in this creek area back here. And a lot of drug action. Not surprised, unfortunately.”

But Simmers said there’s never been anything quite like this.

“This is the first time we’ve had someone who was murdered, in our, basically in our front yard,” she said.

More local crime: Police emphasis patrols lead to arrests, recovered drugs on New Year’s Eve

Pierce County Sheriff’s detectives scoured the scene for clues. They received a call at 7:36 a.m. Sunday morning for a welfare check on a man found in the tall grass inside the Parkland Prairie Nature Preserve. They said it was clear he was dead and had not died of natural causes.

“No weapons were found at the scene,” Pierce County Sheriff’s Deputy Carly Cappetto said. “Definitely the cause of death is being considered a homicide.”

Deputy Cappetto said they know little about the victim beyond that he is in his mid-30s.

“We have learned that they are from the area,” Cappetto said. “So, we still don’t have an identification of the male.”



Still, a troubling development on this fifth day of the new year.

“Yeah, it’s sad for our community,” Sarah Simmers said.

According to the Pierce County Sheriff, this is the first homicide of the new year. But it comes after five people were found murdered in Pierce County in the last week of 2024.

Now, they are asking anyone who has information about what happened here to come forward.

Crime Blotter

Kohberger (1)...

MyNorthwest Staff

Bryan Kohberger’s lawyers seek to postpone August trial for Idaho murders

Bryan Kohberger's lawyers seek to delay his capital murder trial, originally scheduled for August 2025.

8 hours ago

Tacoma Cold case (1)...

James Lynch

‘This is not over’: Teekah Lewis’ mom vows to continue cold case as Tacoma lead comes up empty

There is a cold case mystery unfolding in Tacoma as crews with Tacoma Emergency Management were seen digging in the backyard of a home.

8 hours ago

Olympia Police vehicle...

Jason Sutich

Thurston County jail sergeant accused of voyeurism, released without bail

Thurston County sergeant faces voyeurism charges, released without bail by Judge Skinder. Details on the case and implications for the community.

9 hours ago

everett toddler death overdose...

Aaron Granillo

5 arrested following overdose death of Everett toddler

The Everett Police Department arrested five people in connection with the overdose death of a 13-month-old last year.

13 hours ago

federal way robbery...

Frank Sumrall

Police arrest suspect after Federal Way robbery spree, could be tied to 4 other robberies

A suspect was arrested in Federal Way after conducting back-to-back convenience store robberies.

16 hours ago

Portland Trail Blazers...

Jason Sutich

Portland Trail Blazers, Timbers demand city budget prioritize public safety amidst crime crisis

Trail Blazers and Timbers highlight public safety concerns in a letter to the city council, urging continued focus in Portland.

16 hours ago

Man’s body found in South Sound nature preserve; Pierce County’s first murder of 2025