Issaquah Standoff: Police Find Man's Body Inside Home After Fire

ISSAQUAH, WA — Authorities on Monday found the likely remains of a man who held his sister, her two children and her boyfriend hostage for hours inside an Issaquah home that was later destroyed by fire after the hostages were freed, the Washington State Patrol said.

The prolonged standoff began at 7:34 p.m. Saturday, when the woman called police to report a suspicious person outside her home, on the 5200 block of Isola Place NW. The man — her brother — later forced entry and barricaded the residents inside, Trooper Chase VanCleave of the WSP told reporters Sunday evening.

Police responded but were unable to make contact with anyone inside the home until 8:02 p.m., when the sister called police and said her family was being held hostage.

Little contact was made with the suspect for more than four hours, until 12:50 a.m. Sunday, when a King County SWAT team breached the front door and rescued the boyfriend and two children from inside, VanCleave said. The woman and suspect, who were somewhere else in the home, remained inside.

At 10:25 a.m., a Valley SWAT team rescued the woman from inside. About 30 minutes later, authorities deployed gas canisters inside the house in an unsuccessful attempt to draw the suspect out, VanCleave said.

A fire was first reported at 12:50 p.m. Sunday, eventually rendering the home a total loss. Authorities believe the suspect, who has not been publicly identified, was inside the home when it caught fire.

None of the hostages were physically injured. The Washington State Patrol is taking over the investigation, VanCleave said.

Good morning. Just an update on the incident at the 5200 BLK Isola PL NW in Issaquah. Detectives have returned and are searching/processing the scene for evidence. Currently there is no new information to share. WSP will be sure to update twitter throughout the day if any new
— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) February 17, 2020