Grays Harbor authorities have arrested a 23-year-old Aberdeen man in connection with the death of a Moclips man found lying in a ditch off Highway 109 on Thursday.
Undersheriff Rick Scott identified the deceased man as Richard Luce, 51, a longtime resident of the area. Investigators reported Luce was found along Otis Avenue in Moclips at about 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
His body showed signs of an assault, Scott said. Deputies believe the suspect and Luce got into an argument Wednesday night, although there is no indication they had known each other before.
Scott said investigators believe Luce came across the other man near the intersection of Highway 109 and Otis Avenue when a drunken dispute may have erupted into a fight. Neighbors reported hearing the sound of a loud fight in the area shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday.
“Both of them were drinking,” Scott said. “Alcohol appeared to have played a significant role (in the incident).”
Luce was either going to or coming from the Moclips grocery store, Scott said, while the suspect had taken the bus to Pacific Beach and then was walking toward Taholah. Working with tips and surveillance video from nearby businesses, investigators were able to identify the other man and found him at a residence in Taholah.
Scott said Quinault Indian Nation police officers helped take the man into custody and turned him over to the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office. The man has been booked into the Grays Harbor County Jail on suspicion of assault as investigators continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the death.
The suspect does not have any significant criminal history, Scott said.
“Exactly what provoked the altercation, that’s not clear yet,” he said.
Investigators reported Luce had suffered some apparent trauma to the head. Scott said he appeared to have been beaten, but did not release any details of the injuries.
Scott noted an autopsy has not confirmed Luce died as a result of his injuries, but detectives are investigating the death as a homicide.
“We’re treating this as a homicide until otherwise determined,” Scott said, adding, “There’s still a lot of unanswered questions.”
The Grays Harbor Coroner’s Office reported an autopsy was scheduled for sometime Friday.
Angelo Bruscus contributed to the reporting of this story.
