Local

Family asking for justice after son found murdered

SKYKOMISH, Wash. — Investigators are working to find out who killed a Snohomish father who was found dead near a logging road in Skykomish.

King County detectives found 34-year-old Brandt Stewart of Snohomish County earlier this week along Highway 2 on Monday.

On Thursday, his family got a heartbreaking phone call.

Stewart’s mother, Lisa Carmichael couldn’t explain the heartache, knowing her son was murdered and left to die by a snowy logging road.

“I didn’t see him on Christmas and I knew something was wrong," Carmichael said. “And he was right at the snow line and somebody had shot him in the head... and then just left."

“It’s just my heart sank and I thought who would do such a thing?”

KIRO 7 found out Stewart never got to wish his little girl a Merry Christmas.

Lisa Carmichael said, “And he loved her very much."

“It’s the worst feeling,” Stewart’s stepfather, Dave Carmichael said.

“I think it was somebody local that knew him from the homeless community,” Stewart’s mother said. “They took his wallet and his backpack."

Stewart’s mother said her son had been homeless on and off for two years.

“He’s been struggling, but he is a good person,” Lisa Carmichael said.

Stewart’s family said he loved his four-year-old daughter.

“That’s sad that she won’t get to know him,” Lisa Carmichael said.

The family said they may never know why Stewart was killed, but they’re asking for justice.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the man’s death as a homicide, which is why the Major Crimes Unit will be out looking evidence in the area where he was killed for evidence connected to the homicide.

Anyone with information about Stewart’s death is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311.