A memorial of flowers and candles is growing over the culvert on Cedar Way at 244th Street Southwest.
It’s the place where a body was found Sunday. Tuesday, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner confirmed it was that of Cheryl DeBoer, a 53-year-old woman who was last heard from Monday, Feb. 8 on her way to work.
The cause and manner of her death have not yet been released, “pending further investigation.” However, on Tuesday, investigators revealed small cuts were found on DeBoer’s fingers. They appear to be self-inflicted.
Monday night, Mountlake Terrace Police confirmed blood was found in DeBoer’s car. Her family is cooperating with investigators and her husband has been ruled out as a person of interest. He took a polygraph on Friday.
Mountlake Terrace detectives continue to investigate this case as a homicide. However, other possible causes of death are also being investigated.
A number of search warrants have been executed and a significant amount of evidence has been collected, some of which are pending lab and forensic analysis.
“We have dedicated all of our resources to this investigation,” Mountlake Terrace police spokesman Commander Kevin Pickard said.
DeBoer’s death is an event that has the community shaken up, but city officials are confident in the Mountlake Terrace Police Department’s investigation.
“While the city recognizes the community’s desire for more information related to DeBoer, the integrity of the investigation must be maintained while leads are followed,” city spokeswoman Penny Merkley said in a press release. “It can take a great deal of time to gather and review evidence, as well as interview witnesses.”
In the meantime, Mountlake Terrace police will continue proactive patrols in and around the transit center and encourage the public to report any suspicious activity.
A Celebration of Life for Cheryl DeBoer is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood. A GoFundMe page was created on Feb. 13 to support the family.
The Mountlake Terrace Police Department has been saying they don’t believe there is a public safety concern. However, Chief of Police Greg Wilson has the following safety tips for residents:
Look: Look around and keep your head up. Do you see someone or something strange or out of place? If so, call 911 and report it. Select parking spaces in well-lighted areas if possible and avoid parking in remote areas if you can.
Listen: Don’t walk around with headphones on. Pay attention to your surroundings and what you hear.
Sense: If something just doesn’t seem right, it may not be. Trust your “gut feeling” and take steps to remain safe.
Act: Walk with confidence and with purpose. Carry your keys and use the alarm/panic button to attract attention. Be direct when confronting unwanted advances; and let family and friends know your whereabouts and/or if you will be late.
There is a public safety concern when someone is murdered and there are no suspects contrary to what the MLT police are saying. The public needs to be informed not coddled about crime, etc. Doing otherwise is a disservice to all of us.
Im not understanding this…MLT police are saying theres no danger, dont worry, but be aware of your surroundings?
A woman vanished and then found dead, under suspicious circumstances and they say..you are not in danger?
If she was murdered, shouldnt we be worried that the killer is eating lunch right now enjoying his day?
It is very common for police not to release every detail or element of a case. Many things are still in play, and to second guess right now really isn’t going to lead to answers. For example, the police have noted her husband is not a person of interest. That doesn’t mean other family members aren’t. Police may even be negotiating with a suspect to turn themselves in. Suicide hasn’t been ruled out either.
We just don’t know, nor can we assume.
All we can do is trust the Mountlake Terrace Police when they say the community is not in danger.
Everything will eventually come to light.
Mr. Nicholls is correct: trust the police to do their work. Police Chief Wilson’s list of safety precautions are just plain common sense in today’s world, not cause for panic.
If we still had a Crime mapping web site, We could at least check to see the crimes in our neighborhood. That is no longer available.
I’m quite surprised there has not been one word in a week.
Sally, I was just thinking the same thing yesterday.
My wife likes to watch all the true crime/murder programs on TV. So, I’ve learned a little from having to sit through them.
First off, most murders are done by someone that is familiar with the victim or is a crime of opportunity. The police may be saying that the public is not at risk, because they have a suspect in the murder and are keeping them under surveillance. I’m only saying this, because given when and where she disappeared from, it does not sound like a crime of opportunity.
Two, it takes a long time for lab work. So, the police may have blood, tissue, hair, fingerprints, etc. that they are testing, trying to either build a case or prove the case. Since we live in a country with a double-jeopardy law, often police try to make sure that they can prove guilt in a court before charging a suspect. If they are certain that they have the right person, they don’t want them getting away to do it again.
Third, there are such things as unsolved or “cold” cases. If there is not enough evidence or information for the investigation, sadly, this may be one of those times where we will never know. For the family and friend’s sake, I hope they catch and prosecute the person who did this, because having that unknown hanging over their heads may never allow them to truly heal.
Lastly, no matter if crime is happening in your neighborhood or not, you should ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings. You do not need to be paranoid, just aware.