SNOHOMISH — Jeremy Tod Staeheli, suspected in the fatal shooting of a Snohomish homeless man, was extradited to Washington State and is in King County jail awaiting arraignment for second degree murder.
Bail is set at $2 million. Brandt Stewart, 34, was found dead by a hiker just before Christmas. His body was discovered off a logging road about 12 miles from Stevens Pass, in Skykomish, putting the investigation in the hands of King County law enforcement. He was found with a vial in his chest pocket that appeared to contain several grams of methamphetamine.
A glass pipe and a small torch-type lighter were found in the snow, near his body, court documents say. His backpack and wallet had been taken.
Stewart’s Mom, Elizabeth Carmichael, told investigators Stewart struggled with drug addiction for most of his adult life and was recently staying in a shed at the Snohomish Church of Nazarene.
Staeheli confessed to shooting Stewart with a 9 millimeter handgun, court documents say.
Staeheli has a record of misdemeanor crimes. Pending in Snohomish County are two assault charges. He is not permitted to have a gun, documents say. He fled to Red Bluff, California prior to his arrest, which led to the need for an extradition, documents say.
Detectives were led to Staeheli with information from his Snohomish associates. Stewart was seen the morning of Dec. 22, getting into a red Ford Mustang with Staeheli in the driver’s seat.
Surveillance video showed a license plate number connecting the vehicle to Staeheli. One week prior, the red Mustang was seen near the shed, where Stewart was staying.
Staeheli told detectives he knew Stewart and would sometimes bring him food and the two would smoke meth together.
A single spent shell casing for a 9 millimeter handgun was found near the body. Detectives say the same gun was with Staeheli when he was arrested in Red Bluff, California, tucked into his waist band. He was arrested without incident in Red Bluff, two feet from the red Mustang.
