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Suspect in Skykomish murder arrested in California, deputies say

RED BLUFF, California. — Detectives with the King County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a 34-year-old Snohomish County man.

The body of Brandt Stewart, 34, was found near a logging road in Skykomish last Monday.

Detectives identified the suspect in the murder as a 32-year-old man and said he left Washington for Red Bluff, California.

Detectives drove to Red Bluff over the weekend and worked with local law enforcement to locate the suspect.

The 32-year-old man was arrested as he left a hotel room and was booked into a California jail on investigation of murder, detectives said.

Officials said the suspect is currently awaiting extradition back to Washington. The suspect’s name has not yet been released.

“Despite limited resources in our Major Crimes Unit, our detectives worked tirelessly to identify and arrest a suspect in this case in just six days,” said Sheriff Mitzi G. Johanknecht. “I am proud of their work and grateful for their incredible efforts to seek justice for Mr. Stewart’s family.”