ANACORTES, Wash. — An Anacortes woman was fatally stabbed on Tuesday and authorities say her husband is a person of interest in the homicide investigation.
Just after 4:30 p.m. on April 9, a woman was found stabbed to death in a home near the 2200 block of J Avenue in Anacortes, according to the Anacortes Police Department.
At the scene, officers confirmed the 41-year-old woman was deceased and the person who reported the death told police that the woman's husband was possibly suicidal and driving toward the Deception Pass Bridge, police said. The couple's vehicle was not at the home.
Washington State Patrol troopers found the car on the Deception Pass Bridge, but the husband, a 41-year-old Anacortes man, was not located. As of Wednesday, he still had not been found.
Authorities said the husband is a person of interest for the homicide. Earlier on Tuesday, multiple law enforcement agencies responded to reports of a body in the water near Deception Pass, but were not able to recover the body from the water.
Anacortes police said it believes the cases are related.
On Tuesday, the Anacortes School District identified the woman as Caitlin Follstad, a fifth grade teacher at Island View Elementary School.
Superintendent Justin Irish and Principal Brian Hanrahan described Follstad as a "cherished member of the Island View Elementary community," whose passion for education brought her to the elementary school.
School officials said grief counselors and mental health specialists are available to students and staff affected by the loss.
"In honor of the tragic loss to the ASD family, the school has lowered its flags to half-mast as a solemn tribute and sign of respect and it will remain that way for the rest of the week," Irish said on the district's website on Wednesday.
Members of the community placed flowers in honor of Follstad at the front of the school on Wednesday.
“Ms. Follstad was a dedicated educator whose presence will be forever treasured. The impact of this loss is felt on all of us," Irish said. "We are a strong community and I have no doubt we will collectively honor the memory of Ms. Follstad."
Police said the department had never received a violent call from the home but in March, police received a call that the husband was experiencing a mental health issue. Police said they made contact with him, but it did not meet criteria to take further action.
Caitlin Follstad is a mother of three and police said the children were not in the home at the time of the crime.
This is a developing story. Check back soon for updates.