FORKS — Police believe that a man wanted in the stabbing murder of a young Forks woman may still be in the area, a Clallam County Sheriff’s sergeant said Monday.
Moises Ramirez Matias, a 25-year-old man who also goes by the name of Dario Ramirez Moises, is wanted in the murder of Laranda Konopaski, 18, who died Sunday after she was stabbed multiple times at the home the two shared in Rainforest Mobile Home Park.
Authorities earlier suspected that Ramirez Matias, who is thought to be Guatemalan, had fled south.
But, “we received information today that he is in the area,” said Clallam County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian King early Monday afternoon.
Moises Ramirez Matias is his official name, King said.
“Dario Ramirez Moises is an alias he goes by locally,” King said.
“People know him as Dario.”
King added that another alias he has used is Jose Luis Ramirez Pablo
The public is asked to help authorities find the man for whom an arrest warrant has been issued.
“The warrant is statewide and national,” Forks Police Sgt. Ed Klahn said.
Description
Ramirez Matias is 5 feet tall, weighs 110 pounds and has very short black hair that had been shaved in the past few weeks, King said.
When last seen, Ramirez Matias was wearing a black hoodie sweatshirt and blue or black jeans, King said.
All of Ramirez Matias’ vehicles have been accounted for, King said.
Sheriff Bill Benedict had told Clallam County commissioners on Monday morning that Ramirez Matias probably fled south.
“We suspect he’s gone underground,” said Benedict before more information came in that day.
Konopaski died of multiple stab wounds at Forks Community Hospital just before 6 a.m. Sunday, after police were called to the couple’s home.
There was no history of police calls to the home for domestic violence, Klahn said.
However, investigators have uncovered indications that there was a pattern of violence in the home, Klahn said.
Klahn said Konopaski has a young daughter who is in the custody of state Child Protective Services.
Police believe Ramirez Matias may be the girl’s father, and are working to confirm the relationship.
U.S. Border Patrol agents are investigating Ramirez Matias’ citizenship or immigration status, he said.
The State Patrol and a Port Angeles Police Department canine unit assisted on Sunday.
The police dog was used to attempt to track Ramirez Matias from the mobile home on Sunday.
“There’s no active search with dogs now,” King said Monday.
Clallam Bay alumna
Konopaski was a member of the Clallam Bay High School Class of 2011, having attended Cape Flattery schools from preschool through high school, Superintendent Kandy Ritter said.
Two grief counselors and two extra administrators were on duty on at the Clallam Bay campus Monday to comfort the district’s approximately 130 students.
“It’s horrible,” Ritter said.
“Everyone’s in shock,” she added.
“It’s a very quite, somber mood in the school, but we are trying to carry on business as usual the best we can to keep people in their normal routine.”
Konopaski was well-liked by her peers and had a positive attitude toward school, Ritter said.
“A big goal she had for herself was to graduate,” Ritter said.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.”
Anyone who has seen Ramirez Matias is urged to call 9-1-1 immediately, or phone Forks Police Department at 360-374-2223.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
