Detectives Investigate Unattended Death and Possible Theft Can You Help Identify the People in these Photos?
Spokane Valley Major Crime Detectives are investigating an unattended death of a male and the reported theft of his property and hotel property from the Rodeway Inn. Investigators believe the four males and one female may have information regarding the theft of the male’s property, in addition to hotel property, taken from his hotel room prior to his death.
On November 7, 2019, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the report of an unconscious, possibly deceased male, later identified as 54-year-old Eric M. Andersen, in a room at the Rodeway Inn located at 6309 E. Broadway Ave. in Spokane Valley.
Deputies and Spokane Valley Fire personnel entered the room and determined Andersen was deceased.
Major Crimes Detectives responded to the scene to conduct an investigation as they do with any unattended death. Although Andersen showed no obvious signs of injury/trauma, his cause of death is listed as “Pending Toxicology” per the Medical Examiner’s Office.
On November 6, 2019, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Deputies had responded to the same location for the report of a suicidal male (Andersen) who had cut himself and was bleeding from his arm. At that time, hotel staff reported Andersen appeared “high”. Andersen was taken to a hospital to receive medical attention for his cut, and based on his erratic behavior, he appeared incapable of caring for himself. Hotel staff also requested him to be trespassed from the location due to this behavior.
Andersen was later released from the hospital, and a witness observed him go to the room where he had been staying between 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. on the morning of his death. The witness stated he heard Andersen yell something similar to, “They took my phone! They took everything! Why is this happening to me?”
Investigators believe a suspect(s) entered Andersen’s room during the time he was at the hospital and stole valuables before he returned.
Detectives obtained video surveillance from the hotel, and they believe the female and four males depicted in the photos may have information regarding this unattended death investigation or the theft of property from Andersen’s room.
If you can help identify anyone in these photos or have knowledge you believe would help in this investigation, you are urged to call Detective Melville at 509-477-3325, reference #10158357.
