Murder investigations 1985 (Lewis County Sheriff's Department)
| Tracking # |
P003117-041519 |
| Multi Request | Murder investigations 1985 |
| Submitted | April 14, 2019 |
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Communications
From: Anne
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
Hello, Requesting all files/ reports on three sets of couple's murdered in 1985- six people in total (with redactions if necessary)
These are likely to have been recorded under the following six names:
these murders involve many counties, Pierce, Lewis, King, Grant
(Main City Police Dep is TACOMA)
1. STEVEN HARKINS (possibly spelled STEPHEN) Born between 1957 - 1959)
Murdered 10th August 1985 (incident/ investigation report will be dated a few days later when body located)
BODY LOCATED: NEAR LAKE TULE, WA- two days later.
2. RUTH COOPER (partner of above- Born between 1942 - 1944)
Murdered 10th August 1985 (incident/ investigation report will begin around then)
BODY LOCATED: LAKE TULE end of September 1985 or early October 1985
3. DIANA ROBERTSON (born between 1963 - 1965)
Murdered on or around December 12th, 1985 (incident/ investigation report will be dated around this time)
BODY LOCATED: NEAR MINERAL, February 1986.
4. MIKE/ MICHAEL REIMER (partner of above 36 born between 1948 - 1951)
Disappeared on December 12th, 1985 (incident/ investigation report will begin around then)
Initially considered a suspect in Diana's murder
Considered a suspect in the above murders of Harkins+ Cooper
BUT on March 26th, 2011, Reimer's skull was located at the same location as Diana Robertson's body.
5. Edward (or Ed) Smith (born between 1957 - 1960)
From Kent, WA
Body located in BEVERLY- March 10th 1985
6.Kim Lavine (born between 1958 - 1961)
From Kent, WA
Body located in BEVERLY- August 1985
EXTRA PERSON (7)
Requesting Incident report or any other files for DIANA ROBERTSON/ MIKE's daughter :CRYSTAL ROBERTSON (2yrs old born between 1982- 1984) being located on 12th December, 1985 at KMART store in SPANAWAY, WA.
She was placed into foster care.
Request please to obtain electronic files including, but not limited to:
Police Incident reports & Investigation reports
Homicide investigations
Interviews
Autopsy/ Toxicology Reports
Any interviews including witness or suspects (can be redacted)
Crime scene photos
Crime scene analysis reports
AND on each person:
- Any prior police records, warrants, arrests, restraining orders filed against any of the persons listed (especially Mike/ Michael Reimer)
Cases 5 & 6 are technically solved, there should be files on this investigation including arrest warrants and records for BILLY RAY BALLARD.
Any record of his confession and the investigation into Murders 1,2,3,4 with BALLARD.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
anna p
From: Lewis County Sheriff's Department
Dear anna p, Thank you for your interest in public records of Lewis County, WA. Your request has been received and is being processed. Your request was received in this office on April 15, 2019 and given the reference number P003117-041519 for tracking purposes. Your request will be forwarded to the relevant County department(s) to locate the information you seek and to determine the volume and any costs associated with satisfying your request. You will be contacted about the availability and/or provided with copies of the records in question. You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you'll receive an email when your request has been completed. Again, thank you for using the Public Records Center.
Lewis County, WA
From: Lewis County Sheriff's Department
Dear anna p, Thank you for your interest in public records of Lewis County, WA. Your request has been received and is being processed. Your request was received in this office on April 15, 2019 and given the reference number P003117-041519 for tracking purposes. Your request will be forwarded to the relevant County department(s) to locate the information you seek and to determine the volume and any costs associated with satisfying your request. You will be contacted about the availability and/or provided with copies of the records in question. You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you'll receive an email when your request has been completed. Again, thank you for using the Public Records Center.
Lewis County, WA
From: Lewis County Sheriff's Department
--- Please respond above this line ---
351 NW North Street, Chehalis, WA 98532 RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of April 15, 2019., Reference # P003117-041519.
Dear anna p,
Lewis County received a public information request from you on April 15, 2019 directed to the Sheriff's Office. You requested the following:
To Whom It May Concern:"
Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
Hello, Requesting all files/ reports on three sets of couple's murdered in 1985- six people in total (with redactions if necessary)
These are likely to have been recorded under the following six names:
these murders involve many counties, Pierce, Lewis, King, Grant
(Main City Police Dep is TACOMA)
1. STEVEN HARKINS (possibly spelled STEPHEN) Born between 1957 - 1959)
Murdered 10th August 1985 (incident/ investigation report will be dated a few days later when body located)
BODY LOCATED: NEAR LAKE TULE, WA- two days later.
2. RUTH COOPER (partner of above- Born between 1942 - 1944)
Murdered 10th August 1985 (incident/ investigation report will begin around then)
BODY LOCATED: LAKE TULE end of September 1985 or early October 1985
3. DIANA ROBERTSON (born between 1963 - 1965)
Murdered on or around December 12th, 1985 (incident/ investigation report will be dated around this time)
BODY LOCATED: NEAR MINERAL, February 1986.
4. MIKE/ MICHAEL REIMER (partner of above 36 born between 1948 - 1951)
Disappeared on December 12th, 1985 (incident/ investigation report will begin around then)
Initially considered a suspect in Diana's murder
Considered a suspect in the above murders of Harkins+ Cooper
BUT on March 26th, 2011, Reimer's skull was located at the same location as Diana Robertson's body.
5. Edward (or Ed) Smith (born between 1957 - 1960)
From Kent, WA
Body located in BEVERLY- March 10th 1985
6.Kim Lavine (born between 1958 - 1961)
From Kent, WA
Body located in BEVERLY- August 1985
EXTRA PERSON (7)
Requesting Incident report or any other files for DIANA ROBERTSON/ MIKE's daughter :CRYSTAL ROBERTSON (2yrs old born between 1982- 1984) being located on 12th December, 1985 at KMART store in SPANAWAY, WA.
She was placed into foster care.
Request please to obtain electronic files including, but not limited to:
Police Incident reports & Investigation reports
Homicide investigations
Interviews
Autopsy/ Toxicology Reports
Any interviews including witness or suspects (can be redacted)
Crime scene photos
Crime scene analysis reports
AND on each person:
- Any prior police records, warrants, arrests, restraining orders filed against any of the persons listed (especially Mike/ Michael Reimer)
Cases 5 & 6 are technically solved, there should be files on this investigation including arrest warrants and records for BILLY RAY BALLARD.
Any record of his confession and the investigation into Murders 1,2,3,4 with BALLARD.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
anna p
After a diligent search, the Sheriff's Office has located records which are responsive to your request, specifically records relating to Dianna Robertson and Michael Reimer. However, we have determined that these records are exempt from disclosure for the following reasons:
RCW 42.56.240(1) Specific intelligence information and specific investigative records compiled by investigative, law enforcement, and penology agencies, and state agencies vested with the responsibility to discipline members of any profession, the nondisclosure of which is essential to effective law enforcement or for the protection of any person's right to privacy.
Additionally, a search for records relating the other individuals listed in the request provided no responsive records. The County and this office considers this particular request closed. If you believe we have misunderstood your request or the scope of your request, please let us know as soon as possible. Sincerely,
Casey Mauermann Lewis County Public Disclosure Manager Risk Management 360-740-2674
From: Lewis County Sheriff's Department
--- Please respond above this line ---
351 NW North Street, Chehalis, WA 98532 RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of April 15, 2019., Reference # P003117-041519.
Dear anna p,
Lewis County received a public information request from you on April 15, 2019 directed to the Sheriff's Office. You requested the following:
To Whom It May Concern:"
Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
Hello, Requesting all files/ reports on three sets of couple's murdered in 1985- six people in total (with redactions if necessary)
These are likely to have been recorded under the following six names:
these murders involve many counties, Pierce, Lewis, King, Grant
(Main City Police Dep is TACOMA)
1. STEVEN HARKINS (possibly spelled STEPHEN) Born between 1957 - 1959)
Murdered 10th August 1985 (incident/ investigation report will be dated a few days later when body located)
BODY LOCATED: NEAR LAKE TULE, WA- two days later.
2. RUTH COOPER (partner of above- Born between 1942 - 1944)
Murdered 10th August 1985 (incident/ investigation report will begin around then)
BODY LOCATED: LAKE TULE end of September 1985 or early October 1985
3. DIANA ROBERTSON (born between 1963 - 1965)
Murdered on or around December 12th, 1985 (incident/ investigation report will be dated around this time)
BODY LOCATED: NEAR MINERAL, February 1986.
4. MIKE/ MICHAEL REIMER (partner of above 36 born between 1948 - 1951)
Disappeared on December 12th, 1985 (incident/ investigation report will begin around then)
Initially considered a suspect in Diana's murder
Considered a suspect in the above murders of Harkins+ Cooper
BUT on March 26th, 2011, Reimer's skull was located at the same location as Diana Robertson's body.
5. Edward (or Ed) Smith (born between 1957 - 1960)
From Kent, WA
Body located in BEVERLY- March 10th 1985
6.Kim Lavine (born between 1958 - 1961)
From Kent, WA
Body located in BEVERLY- August 1985
EXTRA PERSON (7)
Requesting Incident report or any other files for DIANA ROBERTSON/ MIKE's daughter :CRYSTAL ROBERTSON (2yrs old born between 1982- 1984) being located on 12th December, 1985 at KMART store in SPANAWAY, WA.
She was placed into foster care.
Request please to obtain electronic files including, but not limited to:
Police Incident reports & Investigation reports
Homicide investigations
Interviews
Autopsy/ Toxicology Reports
Any interviews including witness or suspects (can be redacted)
Crime scene photos
Crime scene analysis reports
AND on each person:
- Any prior police records, warrants, arrests, restraining orders filed against any of the persons listed (especially Mike/ Michael Reimer)
Cases 5 & 6 are technically solved, there should be files on this investigation including arrest warrants and records for BILLY RAY BALLARD.
Any record of his confession and the investigation into Murders 1,2,3,4 with BALLARD.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
anna p
After a diligent search, the Sheriff's Office has located records which are responsive to your request, specifically records relating to Dianna Robertson and Michael Reimer. However, we have determined that these records are exempt from disclosure for the following reasons:
RCW 42.56.240(1) Specific intelligence information and specific investigative records compiled by investigative, law enforcement, and penology agencies, and state agencies vested with the responsibility to discipline members of any profession, the nondisclosure of which is essential to effective law enforcement or for the protection of any person's right to privacy.
Additionally, a search for records relating the other individuals listed in the request provided no responsive records. The County and this office considers this particular request closed. If you believe we have misunderstood your request or the scope of your request, please let us know as soon as possible. Sincerely,
Casey Mauermann Lewis County Public Disclosure Manager Risk Management 360-740-2674
Files
There are no files associated with this request.