LEWIS COUNTY, Wash. — After an extensive cold case homicide investigation that the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office worked for more than 2-1/2 decades, an arrest was made when a team of investigators traveled to Alaska on Sunday.
Rick Riffe, 53, of King Salmon, Alaska, was arrested for investigation of murder by the investigative team and will be processed for extradition back to Lewis County to stand trial for the 1985 slayings of 83-year-old Wilhelmina “Minnie” and 81-year-old Edward “Ed” Maurin.
"People should never give up hope. There is always hope out there," said Dennis Hadaller, the Maurin's son. "At their funeral, I laid my hand on their casket and I said, 'We'll find out who did this.'"
On Dec. 19, 1985, family members reported that the couple was not home as expected for a family Christmas party.
The next day, witnesses reported seeing the Maurins’ vehicle parked at Yard Bird’s. A search of the vehicle revealed a large blood stains and the keys were in the ignition, investigators said.
As the initial investigation proceeded, various witnesses came forward to report seeing the Maurins’ vehicle on Dec. 19, including seeing the vehicle at the Sterling Savings and Loan in Chehalis.
The Sheriff’s Office said it developed evidence that Riffe and his now-deceased brother, John Riffe, kidnapped the Maurins at their home, drove them to the bank and forced them to withdraw $8,500 in cash.
The Maurins' bodies were located at the end of Stearns Hill Road in Chehalis, on Dec. 24, 1985. The Maurins had been shot inside their vehicle with a shotgun and then dragged to the wooded location where they were later found by a passerby, police said.
Police said the Riffe brothers were the primary suspects throughout the investigation, but probable cause for their arrest was not developed until much later, when additional evidence was compiled and witnesses came forth to collaborate and provide more information to complete the investigation.
"We have known for over two decades that Rick and John Riffe were responsible for the murders of the Maurins," Lewis County Sheriff Steve Mansfield said.
Detectives said they believe many witnesses did not come forward during the time of the initial investigation because they feared the Riffe brothers and possible retaliation.
Both Riffe brothers moved to Alaska in 1987.
John Riffe died the week before the Sheriff’s Office purchased tickets to travel to Alaska to arrest both him and his brother.
Asked about John Riffe's death, Hadaller said, "One already got his justice."
KIRO
