- Kevin West was arrested last week on charges of murder after he allegedly killed his wife Marcelle in their Washougal home in January.
- In court on Monday, West appeared virtually for his arraignment and a judge set bail at $1.5 million for the father of two.
- Prosecutor Jessica Smith said West had planned to end his relationship with his wife and move out of their home on the day of his death.
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A Washington fire chief faces a murder charge after allegedly strangling his wife and making her death look like an attack to cover up an affair he was having.
Kevin West, 49, was arrested last week more than two months after he allegedly strangled his wife Marcelle ‘Marcy’ West to death at their Washougal home in January.
KGW reported that West told investigators his wife had a seizure and had stopped breathing, paramedics arrived but she later died.
After her death, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office said several people were concerned about their relationship and reported it to police.
A criminal investigation into his death was launched after an autopsy showed evidence that he had suffered trauma to his neck.
Kevin West, 49, was arrested last week more than two months after he allegedly strangled his wife Marcelle ‘Marcy’ West in their home.
Marcy and Kevin West are seen here with their children.
On March 20, the medical examiner determined that he had died of asphyxiation with blunt trauma to the neck and ruled his death a homicide.
In court Monday, prosecutors said there were indications that West had deleted messages from a woman he was having an affair with, Cynthia Ward.
Prosecutor Jessica Smith said West had planned to end his relationship with his wife and move out of their home on the day of his death.
It was also revealed that detectives had discovered financial problems between the two, including a debt of around $100,000.
According to a probable cause affidavit seen by the outlet, West told investigators after learning of the affair that “there is no way” he would ever leave his wife.
He said that “Marcy and I had too much together” and that he had no intention of continuing their affair if something happened to his wife.
Brian Walker, his lawyer, told the court: “When he was later questioned about (the other woman’s name), he fully admitted that he had had this affair.”
‘I wasn’t hiding it. They just never asked him about it and he wasn’t eager to talk about it.”
West appeared virtually for his arraignment before a judge who set bail at $1.5 million for the father of two.
A search of the house found love letters addressed to Ward, one of which read: ‘Next year, 2024 will be our year.
In court on Monday, West appeared virtually for his arraignment and a judge set bail at $1.5 million for the father of two.
West allegedly killed his wife Marcelle in their Washougal home in January, seen here
‘We will be together celebrating every day with love and understanding of what it means for you and me to be together. Our Story will ring loud in the New Year for all to hear!’
The outlet reported that another said: ‘We’ve shared so many special memories in such a short time.’
‘Imagine what memories we will create with each other every day! You and I were created perfectly for each other. I love you more every day, I love you more every day.’
Using a search warrant, investigators seized West and his wife’s phones and his phone showed attempts to delete his number and text messages.
The recovered messages show that West had spoken to his divorce attorney and told his girlfriend’s brother-in-law that: “I’m moving out on Monday.” Work completed on Tuesday.
Investigators also said he texted his lover’s mother saying, “I’m meeting with my lawyer on the 9th and I’ll have options to decide and I’m very excited.”
‘I’m also moving out on the 8th. Next week will be a big week for (her) and I to celebrate. I love you.’
West was the battalion chief of the Camas-Washougal Fire Department and earned $160,000 a year according to Oregon live.