Portland Police Arrest Person Of Interest in Longview Homicide

The victim, Jeremy M. McLean of Longview, was reported missing around 11:30 PM Monday night, December 29th, by his parents, after he did not return home that evening.

Salem-News.com

(LONGVIEW, Wash ) - Portland Police officers arrested a man today wanted in connection with a Murder in Washington December 29th. They also took the suspect's girlfriend into custody.

Cowlitz County detectives investigating the late December 2008 Murder case of 26-year old Jeremy McLean, say they identified 51-year old William Vance Reagan of Longview as a person of interest in the case.

Sheriff's Office Spokesman Charlie Rosenzweig, says they identified the vehicle that Reagan and his live-in girlfriend, 47-year old Victoria L. Gatti, were driving.

At that point, an Attempt to Locate was issued to other law enforcement agencies for the vehicle, a 1989 Ford Lincoln.

Rosenzweig says a Portland Police Bureau Officer found the vehicle at a motel on N.E. Sandy Blvd near 112th at about 7:45 AM today.

"Portland PB S.E.R.T. responded to the scene and took Reagan and Gatti in to custody without any resistance."

"Cowlitz Sheriff Detectives responded to Portland and worked with Portland PD detectives to serve search warrants at the motel and the vehicle." Rosenzweig says both Reagan and Gatti have been interviewed.

Both Reagan and Gatti were arrested by Portland PB for Cowlitz County detectives for violating the terms and conditions from a previous narcotics charge.

Detectives say this charge stems from knowledge that both participated in narcotics transactions within the past 5 days.

Futher charges against Reagan are expected.

Detectives say they have confirmed that Reagan did not act alone in the homicide case and additional persons of interest have been identified. Additional arrests are pending.

Detectives want to hear from anyone who has information about this case.

They say they do no want to reveal any specifics about the nature of the victim's death due to the on-going nature of the investigation.

Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous should call Cowlitz Crime Stoppers at (360) 577-1206.

Background:

The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office received a call about 7:45 AM January 1st, from a fisherman, saying that he had located a body on the shores of the Columbia River.

The location was a short distance downstream from the Willow Grove Boat Launch, about 4 miles west of Longview Washington.

Circumstances from the scene indicated initially that foul play was involved and the case is being treated by detectives as a homicide.

The victim, Jeremy M. McLean of Longview, was reported missing around 11:30 PM Monday night, December 29th, by his parents, after he did not return home that evening.

An autopsy was conducted New Year's day and the case remains an active homicide investigation.

The cause and manner of death is pending.

Anyone with information about this case who wishes to remain anonymous is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at (360) 577-1206. The case is being overseen by Detective Sergeant Reiss and callers with information can also contact him at (360) 577-3092.