OLYMPIA, Wash. — The suspect in recent dog attacks in Thurston County was "found deceased in another state," according to police.
Police have not specific which dog attacks the 20-year-old suspect was connected to.
Police say there is no longer a threat to the community.
It is still unclear how detectives identified the suspect and how and where he died.
No word on where or how the suspect died but Lacey Police said he was from Montana.
Earlier this month, police were investigating the brutal killing of a white Husky in broad daylight.
Olympia police said the suspect went through an alleyway, into the owner's backyard and proceeded to viciously stab their dog to death with a "machete or something similar."
The dog’s owner described their dog, whose name was Finnegan, to KING 5 a few days after the attack.
"Big smiler, always happy, rarely seen him upset," the dog's owner said. "Didn’t bark ever."
There were no known problems associated with their dog that may have caused someone to be angry with the animal or the owner, the victim told police.
“Just at a loss for words," the owner said.
Lacey Police said it’s coordinating with Olympia Police. Lacey Police said it’s finalizing it’s investigation but there are strong indications the suspect is responsible for the attack on the dogs in Lacey.
In Lacey, someone snuck into a backyard and attacked a family's four dogs. All of the dogs survived the attacks.
The owner Jim Roberts described his dog Zoey's injuries as, “an 8-inch gash between her shoulder blades. It went from shoulder blade to shoulder blade and deep enough to her spine.”
Zoey is the mother of the other three dogs and wasn’t the only one hurt. One dog had lacerations on his head and appeared he may have been stabbed. Another dog had lacerations in his jawline and was hit so hard that a canine tooth was knocked out.
While the investigation is still underway, the Robertses are hoping the man police identified is indeed who’s responsible.
“It’s nice to believe that maybe they're off the street and won't be doing that again,” said Lynn Roberts.
“I can't wrap my head around someone who would even do that and then to think karma took care of it. Its pleasing, I don’t like to say that, but it is pleasing,” said Lynn Roberts.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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