OLYMPIA, Wash. — Officials found two bodies near Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) on Saturday, and believe the bodies are those of a Thurston County couple who went missing in November.
Deputies responded to reports of a body near Stedman Road Southeast on JBLM property on Saturday afternoon, according to a Thurston County Sheriff's Office news release.
During the investigation, deputies and JBLM police located a second body.
Detectives arrived on scene and “sadly, we believe Davido and Karen Koep have been located based on the preliminary investigation,” according to the news release.
Justice Dutton, the couple's son, said the family is grateful for the outpouring of support from everyone whose lives were impacted by Karen and Davido.
"In particular, we would like to thank the Thurston County Sherriff's Office and assisting agencies for being unwavering in their search for our parents. We have the utmost faith that the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorneys will bring the person(s) responsible to justice," Dutton told KING 5.
Dr. Karen Koep and Davido were last seen on Nov. 13. Deputies went to their home in the Lake Forest Development and found the couple was missing.
The suspect, an Olympian man in his 40s, first appeared in court on Nov. 20. He remains in jail without bail because prosecutors argued he is a flight risk and a danger to the community.
Court documents released last month indicated the suspect was in the process of being evicted by the couple before they were reported missing. He lived on property near Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The bodies were found less than half a mile away from the tenant's property and were not concealed, Sheriff Derek Sanders said on Dec. 2.
The suspect was arrested on Nov. 17, four days after the couple's disappearance. Deputies said he was found hiding from law enforcement off the side of a trail. He was booked into Thurston County Jail on two counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.
Anyone with information about Davido and Karen Koep is encouraged to contact the Thurston County Sheriff at detectives@co.thurston.wa.us
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.