LAKEWOOD, Wash. — A memorial of flowers, candles and notes is growing outside J's Barbershop in Lakewood after the owner, Pyong Sun Ryan, was found stabbed to death Thursday afternoon.
Lisa Jones was a frequent customer who brought her son to Ryan's shop for haircuts.
"She's like family," Jones said. "She was the best person ever." Jones said the violent crime has the Lake City neighborhood shaken. "It scares me. I've lived in this area for a couple years and I didn't think that crime was so close. But I guess it is."
Slain Lakewood barbershop owner identified as Pyong Sun Ryan, 57. Known to friends as Sunny. Police say she was stabbed to death during a bizarre crime spree. 2 arrested pic.twitter.com/meb4P4AeBr
— Kevin McCarty (@KevinKIRO7) August 9, 2019
The 57-year-old Ryan, known to her friends as Sunny, was stabbed to death with a pair of scissors in what Lakewood police say was a crime spree. Her body was found inside her shop.
On Friday, Angel Manuel Martinez,40, was charged with her murder, along with repeatedly trying to steal cars and assaulting a 76-year-old man. Martinez pleaded not guilty at a court appearance on Monday.
Angel Martinez pleads not guilty to the murder of Lakewood barber Sunny Ryan. She was found stabbed to death on Thursday. More at 5:00p @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/sZQNBVlZeX
— Kevin McCarty (@KevinKIRO7) August 12, 2019
According to charges, Martinez was arrested nearby with Ryan's cellphone along with U.S. and Korean money stained with blood KIRO 7 has identified a woman arrested along with Martinez as 28-year-old Jennifer Fowora, who was booked on misdemeanor warrants unrelated to the murder.
Ryan lived alone, running the barbershop for the last two years and building a busy clientele of soldiers from nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord as well as locals in the neighborhood.
One customer who identified himself only as Randy said he came to Ryan for haircuts and a trim of his beard.
"After she'd cut my hair, she'd go, 'Oh, you're a handsome man,'" he said.
Esther Parinas said Ryan's was a member of her church. She said her violent death has left the congregation in shock.
Martinez is expected in court Monday to enter a plea on charges of first-degree aggravated murder, burglary, robbery and assault. Fowora has not been charged in connection with Ryan's death.
Chopper 7 was over the investigation scene. Watch the video below.
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