Mystery crime scene in Port Townsend: Authorities unsure of ‘what we’ve got’

PORT TOWNSEND — The State Patrol has a crime lab there, and the Port Townsend Police Department also is investigating.

But spokespeople for neither agency will explain the interest law enforcement has in the area near 909 Rosecrans St.

“We are investigating a potential crime scene,” said Port Townsend Detective Jason Greenspane on Thursday night.

“We likely will not have any information on this until tomorrow.

“Honestly, we’re not exactly certain what we’ve got here.”

Police Sgt. Ed Green said the department probably would release an official statement today.

A report will be updated at www.peninsuladailynews.com as well as in Sunday’s editions of the PDN.

Greenspane said Port Townsend police have been investigating the area off Ninth Street between Thomas and Logan streets since 11 p.m. Wednesday.

The State Patrol Crime Lab was called to the area shortly after.

“Our crime lab is on location at a trailer,” said Trooper Krista Hedstrom, State Patrol spokeswoman.

“They have said it is possibly a crime scene but did not say what type of crime scene it was.

“They are also in the process of dispatching dogs to the area, but as of right now, I am not sure what kind of dogs they are.

“It appears to be a crime scene, but to what extent I do not know.”

At 4:30 p.m. Thursday, at least three Port Townsend Police Department vehicles and three State Patrol vehicles were at the site.

The location was taped off and investigators were using a large green tarp to cover an area of the lawn next to a mobile trailer.

At times, state investigators would lift the tarp to take photographs.

Other investigators were seen entering the trailer and collecting items from the yard and placing them into black plastic bags.

________

Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com

More in News

Two dead after tree falls in Olympic National Forest

Two women died after a tree fell in Olympic National… Continue reading

Sue Long, left, Vicki Bennett and Frank Handler, all from Port Townsend, volunteer at the Martin Luther King Day of Service beach restoration on Monday at Fort Worden State Park. The activity took place on Knapp Circle near the Point Wilson Lighthouse. Sixty-four volunteers participated in the removal of non-native beach grasses. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Work party

Sue Long, left, Vicki Bennett and Frank Handler, all from Port Townsend,… Continue reading

Portion of bridge to be replaced

Tribe: Wooden truss at railroad park deteriorating

Kingsya Omega, left, and Ben Wilson settle into a hand-holding exercise. (Aliko Weste)
Process undermines ‘Black brute’ narrative

Port Townsend company’s second film shot in Hawaii

Jefferson PUD to replace water main in Coyle

Jefferson PUD commissioners awarded a $1.3 million construction contract… Continue reading

Scott Mauk.
Chimacum superintendent receives national award

Chimacum School District Superintendent Scott Mauk has received the National… Continue reading

Hood Canal Coordinating Council meeting canceled

The annual meeting of the Hood Canal Coordinating Council, scheduled… Continue reading

Bruce Murray, left, and Ralph Parsons hang a cloth exhibition in the rotunda of the old Clallam County Courthouse on Friday in Port Angeles. The North Olympic History Center exhibit tells the story of the post office past and present across Clallam County. The display will be open until early February, when it will be relocated to the Sequim City Hall followed by stops on the West End. The project was made possible due to a grant from the Clallam County Heritage Advisory Board. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Post office past and present

Bruce Murray, left, and Ralph Parsons hang a cloth exhibition in the… Continue reading

This agave grew from the size of a baseball in the 1990s to the height of Isobel Johnston’s roof in 2020. She saw it bloom in 2023. Following her death last year, Clallam County Fire District 3 commissioners, who purchased the property on Fifth Avenue in 2015, agreed to sell it to support the building of a new Carlsborg fire station. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)
Fire district to sell property known for its Sequim agave plant

Sale proceeds may support new Carlsborg station project

As part of Olympic Theatre Arts’ energy renovation upgrade project, new lighting has been installed, including on the Elaine and Robert Caldwell Main Stage that allows for new and improved effects. (Olympic Theatre Arts)
Olympic Theatre Arts remodels its building

New roof, LED lights, HVAC throughout

Weekly flight operations scheduled

Field carrier landing practice operations will be conducted for aircraft… Continue reading