Police: Capital Playhouse employee's disappearance leads to stash of child porn on his computer

OLYMPIA, Washington — A man who worked every day with children at the Capital Playhouse in Olympia now sits in jail after police said they found pornographic pictures of kids on his computer.

The alleged crime was only discovered because police were searching for the man, Troy Fisher, when he disappeared last week. He now stands accused of possession of child pornography, which has left some theater parents stunned.

“Everyone is shocked and upset about it ‘cause they don’t believe it,” parent Suzanne Scuderi said.

It's been a tough year for the Playhouse. In March, an employee was arrested for allegedly videotaping people in the bathroom.

The investigation into Fisher, the Playhouse’s artistic director who has worked there for 24 years, began after he disappeared last week. He resurfaced at an Olympia gas station two days later, disoriented and in pajamas, and called 911.

“My name is Troy Fisher,” he said in the call. “I’m lost and I don’t know where I’m at…. I woke up and I was in the woods under a bush, and I’ve been trying to find my way out.”

“And you don’t know how you got there?” the 911 operator asked.

“I don’t,” Fisher said.

While he was missing, police went to his home and searched on his computer for clues about where he could be. That’s when officers said they found several images of child pornography.

“It was unbelievable, really. It was very traumatic,” Playhouse board member Kim Wallace said.

She said the board’s top priority is keeping kids at the theater safe.

Police said detectives will soon be searching Fisher’s work computer for additional child pornography images.

Fisher’s nephew told KIRO 7 he hopes people don’t rush to judgment.

Despite the allegations, Scuderi said she isn’t worried.

“Their teacher has been accused of some pretty bad stuff, but I have complete confidence in the Playhouse,” she said.

KIRO