Man found dead in Capitol Forest still unidentified

The case is being investigated as a suspected homicide, said Sgt. Carla Carter, of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

The Olympian

Investigators haven’t yet identified a man found dead Thursday in Capitol State Forest.

The deceased is a young adult male, but his age and race haven’t been determined. Coroner Gary Warnock said an autopsy was conducted, but the cause of the man’s death hasn’t yet been released.

The case is being investigated as a suspected homicide, said Sgt. Carla Carter, of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

“It appears he has multiple gunshot wounds,” Carter told The Olympian on Thursday. “We are doing our best to identify him.”

Because of technical difficulties, investigators have not been able to identify the man yet, but he may be identified over the weekend. If investigators are unable to determine the man’s identity, the Sheriff’s Office will likely release a sketch of the man, said Lt. Tim Rudloff.

The body was found at 1:30 p.m. Thursday off of Waddell Creek Road Southwest in Capitol State Forest by the entrance to Margaret McKinney campground, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

He was found by a passing motorist, and Warnock said the man was likely in the woods for about a day, maybe less.