Person of interest named in homicide of former Hoquiam resident

Following the homicide of Loren VerValen, a 45-year-old Olympia man who attended Hoquiam High School, authorities have identified a “person of interest” in the Dec. 22 crime.

In a Facebook post Friday, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office named Shane D. Brewer, 32, as a person of interest, and said he has multiple felony warrants.

On Dec. 22, VerValen was found dead south of Tumwater, with the cause of death being “homicidal violence,” according to Coroner Gary Warnock in The Olympian.

The victim’s daughter, Amber VerValen, told The Daily World that her dad attended Hoquiam High School. He is believed to have graduated in 1992.

The Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for Brewer, who’s described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing around 235 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair, with a shaved head and a tattoo on his throat.

Brewer is believed to be armed and presumed dangerous, according to the sheriff’s office.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Carrie Nastansky through 911.