Police in Washington State say a property dispute may be at the centre of the disappearance of a former B.C. resident and her husband in a case that began as a missing-person search but quickly turned into a murder investigation.
Advertisement
Both are now believed to be dead, victims of the “armed and dangerous” brothers John Blaine Reed, 53, and Tony Clyde Reed, 49, police said on Sunday.
Trenary said the Reed brothers are considered armed and unsafe.
Shunn’s brother, Eric Shunn, has also spoken in a television interview about sexual harassment he said a neighbour directed at Patenaude and another woman, and his failed efforts to confront the unnamed man, which led to a fight with his brother Patrick, who had been reluctant to call police.
Detectives were able to trace surveillance footage tying the Reed brothers to the disposal of the vehicles. Shunn has not been seen since leaving work in Kirkland, a Seattle suburb, that same day.
A former lawyer for Shunn and Patenaude say the couple anxious about getting on the wrong side of John Reed, who lived up an old logging road from their eight-hectare spread along the Stillaguamish River.
A crew in a Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office helicopter found their vehicles two days later just north of their home in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. It is believed the brothers may have been spotted in the Ellensburg area, but as of recent are not sure where they have traveled to.
Both brothers had previously been convicted of felonies, the sheriff’s office said, though it did not release details about their backgrounds.
The Arlington couple were reported missing by neighbors April 12. Patenaude formerly lived in British Columbia.
Monique Patenaude, 46, and Patrick Shunn, 45, were reported missing by neighbours last Tuesday, the day after they were last seen. Sheriff Trenary acknowledged a dispute between the couple and Reed, but would not elaborate on a connection to the crime. Tony Reed is five feet 11 inches tall, 150 lbs. with green eyes and grey hair. “Both vehicles appear to have gone over an embankment and are located in the same general area of each other”.
A vehicle police say belongs to John Reed was recovered on Saturday and police say the brothers may now be driving their parents’ red 2007 Volkswagen EOS Coupe Washington plates AXH5106.
Patrick and Monique are a loving couple who are loved by friends and family.
Shunn’s brother, Erik Shunn of Oregon City, has posted updates on Facebook.
“Their 20 acre farm and animals are their passion”, the statement read.
Advertisement
Anyone who has information should call the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office anonymous hotline at 425-388-3845. Their families told King 5 the couple loved the outdoors. “Wherever they are, they are together”.
