North Sound News

$1 million nationwide warrant for suspect in woman's beheading death in Washington

Jacob Gonzales is a Hispanic male, 5’9 inches tall, 150 pounds with black hair and hazel eyes.   He is believed to be driving a green 1990 Mitsubishi Montero, Washington license AYE2639 and may be heading to the central/southern California area. 

CAMANO ISLAND, Wash. — June 29 update:

Charges have been amended against a man sought by police in the beheading death of a woman on Camano Island in Washington.

Jacob Gonzales is now charged with domestic violence murder in the second degree while armed with a deadly weapon, Island County Sheriff officials said Friday.

The decapitated body of 26-year-old Katherine Cunningham was earlier found near a hillside bunker on the south end of Camano Island.

Police said a samurai sword was recovered from the trunk of Katherine Cunningham's stolen car, which was abandoned near Yreka, California.

The sword underwent biological evidence testing, which recovered Cunningham's blood on the blade of the sword and Gonzales' DNA on the hilt.

The charges against Gonzales were amended accordingly.

Police said a $1 million nationwide warrant is in effect for Gonzales, whose whereabouts are still not known.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Ed Wallace via the ICOM dispatch center at 360-679-9567 or tips@co.island.wa.us.

Posted by Island County Sheriff's Office on Friday, June 29, 2018

Earlier coverage: 

The Island County Sheriff's Office has identified a vehicle that a person sought in connection with the decapitation of a woman may be driving.

The decapitated body of 26-year-old Katherine Cunningham was found near a hillside bunker on the south end of Camano Island Saturday.

Police said a cache of supplies, weapons and ammunition were found inside the bunker.

The Sheriff's Office is looking for Jacob Gonzales, 34, who is a person of interest in the case. Initially, they believed he may have been on his way to southern or central California.

Related: Police ID person of interest in decapitation of woman on Camano Island

On Friday, authorities said Gonzales may be heading to Las Vegas in a silver, two-door 1998 Honda Civic with Washington license number BHR7424.

A search by KIRO 7 showed the car was registered to the victim, but the Sheriff’s Office said it could not confirm that Gonzales stole the vehicle from the woman.

The photo with this story is not of the actual vehicle, but one that is similar.

Gonzales is believed to be armed and investigators warn the public not to approach him. He's described as Hispanic, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 150 pounds, with black hair and hazel eyes.

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