Curtis Engeland, a 74-year-old man, found himself the victim of an alarming act of violence reportedly carried out by two individuals he met through a dating app – Philip J. Brewer, 32, and Christina Hardy, 47. The suspects are now facing murder charges, allegedly for defrauding Engeland, physically harming him, and using his car to depart his residence on February 23.
Immediately after realizing Engeland’s absence, local law enforcement launched a rigorous search. The ensuing investigation quickly escalated into a pressing missing person’s case, prompting the Washington State Patrol to issue a Silver Alert. The tension rose in the local neighborhood, with everyone on the lookout for any signs of Engeland’s whereabouts.
The escalating concern led to an intensive search mission in Grays Harbor County, led by Mercer Island detectives in collaboration with the King County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue units. This mission was initiated following the discovery of clues leading to the suspects, which underscored the importance of inter-agency cooperation and dedication to solving the case despite challenging circumstances.
Throughout the extensive search in Grays Harbor County, every lead and possible sighting were followed up meticulously. The relentless pursuit of justice by both the Mercer Island Detectives and the King County Sheriff’s Office ultimately led to a disturbing discovery as revealed by court documents.
According to these documents, Brewer and Hardy confessed to intentionally inducing a fatal fentanyl overdose in Engeland and stabbing him in the neck when they realized he was still barely alive. Further reporting claims that Brewer, Hardy, and Hardy’s son moved into Engeland’s house, asserting that they were given permission to stay. They went as far as to alter Engeland’s phone to fabricate false alibis, leading to their eventual arrest on March 14th.
