Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Renton Teen Found Dead in Home Following Suspicious Fire

Jarod Lane, the ex-boyfriend of the victim, is wanted for questioning.

UPDATE, 12:55 p.m., May 25—

From the Renton Police Department:

Renton Police seek your assistance in locating Jarod T. Lane, who is wanted for questioning related to the homicide of a 17 year old female student of Lindbergh High School and the suspected arson of her residence.  Lane is described as a Caucasian male with a dark complexion, 5’09”, 152 pounds, brown eyes and brown or black hair.  He may be driving a green 2001 Mazda Protégé, Washington license 077YRD. 

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At 7:54 a.m. this morning, Renton Fire Department responded to a residential fire in the 12700 block of SE 164th Street.  The fire was extinguished within eight minutes of their arrival.  While quashing the fire, Firefighters located a 17 year old female on the second floor of the residence.  She was extracted to the yard outside the residence, and CPR was attempted but unsuccessful.  The victim’s injuries appear to be consistent with homicide.  Cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner.

The fire, described by Deputy Fire Chief Wallgren as a “contents fire,” appears to be an act of arson. 

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 Lane is known to have been at a gas station in North Bend sometime this morning, and is believed to be heading east.  If you see Lane or his vehicle, or have information about his whereabouts, please call 9-1-1 immediately.  He should be considered armed and dangerous.  If you have information about the homicide and arson, please contact the Renton Police Department at 425-430-7500.

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UPDATE, 12:30 p.m., May 25—

The Renton Police Department has identified the person of interest as 19-year-old Jarod T. Lane. He's described as a caucasian with a "dark complection," with brown eyes and brown hair. He stands 5-feet-9-inches tall and weighs 152 pounds, according to his Washington state driver's license information.

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Original story:

Investigators are searching for a person of interest following the discovery of the body of a 17-year-old Lindbergh High School student in her home Friday morning.

Investigators said the person of interest, a young man, was driving a green Mazda Protege possibly with black wheels and Washington state license plate number of 077 YRD. He is believed to be headed to Eastern Washington. 

The young man's mother checked his online bank account this morning and it appeard the man purchased gas in North Bend shortly after the fire.

Firefighters found the girl's body after receiving a 7:54 a.m. report of a fire at a home near the corner of S.E. 164th and 128th Ave. S.E. Renton Fire and Emergency Services arrived four minutes after the call and extinguished the fire within 10 minutes. It was when firefighters searched the home that they found the girl's body alone.

Her parents have been notified but her identity had not been released. 

The Renton School District notified parents at about 10:40 a.m. that a student had died before the start of school on Friday, said Lindbergh parent Kari Kopnick. The notice did not provide any further details.

A girl who identified herself as an 11th-grade Lindbergh student spoke with Patch late Friday morning. She attempted to go to her friend's home near the homicide scene, but was turned away by police.

Students were told that the girl "died because of the fire," she said. "Everybody is crying. It's like silence."

"I knew her as a person, but not personally," she said of the victim.

Classes have remained on the normal schedule, according to the student.


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