A Bothell woman found murdered in her home on Feb. 12 was involved in a contentious divorce and custody battle with her estranged husband, according to a story by the Bothell Reporter.
Bothell police previously identified the husband as a person of interest in the case and had executed a search warrant at his apartment.
Susann Smith, 37, a native of Germany, was found dead at her house in the 200 block of 240th Street SW by police after her employer called to report she had not shown up for work. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office determined she had died of head injuries and that the manner of death was homicide.
Bothell Police have said the couple’s two children, ages 3 and 6, were safe at the time of the murder, apparently not at the home when the murder occurred.
Bothell Police on Feb. 22 named Smith’s estranged husband a person of interest. Patch typically does not identify suspects or persons of interest unless they are formally charged.
The Bothell Reporter story said the two had been married for eight years, but separated in Nov. of 2011 and at the time of the murders had shared custody of the children. It also reported the two had a restraining order keeping them apart.
Snohomish County court records showed the divorce proceedings became troubled when Susann Smith reportedly expressed a desire to return with the children to her native Germany, where the couple had met. Court proceedings showed the custody battle had become a situation of each side questioning the character and parenting skills of the other.
For the full Bothell Reporter story, click here.
For previous Patch coverage of the case, click here.
