BELLEVUE, Wash. — Police arrested a man in the death of a Bellevue woman whose body was found in her apartment Sunday night.
A family member broke into the 72-year-old woman's apartment at Twelve Central Square in the 10300 block of Northeast 12th Street Sunday after they couldn't get in touch with her. Her body was found inside.
Police were notified at 8:45 p.m. and first responders confirmed the death and the possibility of foul play.
The apartment was secured while detectives obtained a search warrant so they could look for evidence.
After searching the apartment Monday morning, detectives confirmed the death appeared to be a homicide.
Police took a man into custody after making a traffic stop Monday. Jail records identify the suspect as 53-year-old Mark Irwin, who was arrested on first-degree murder charges.
The woman lived with Irwin, who was not home when her body was found. Irwin has an extensive criminal history and previously served time in prison for robbery, theft, forgery and car theft.
The King County Medical Examiner will release the name of the victim after an examination and notification of the woman's family.
Irwin is expected to appear at a bail hearing Tuesday afternoon.
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