NEWPORT, WA – A disturbing scene unfolded in rural eastern Washington this week, where sheriff’s deputies responding to a welfare check discovered a woman chained and a man’s body buried on private property.
The investigation began after the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that a woman was being held against her will on a property in the Fertile Valley Road area, about 35 miles north of Spokane, and that a deceased man was buried nearby. Spokane deputies relayed the information to Pend Oreille County deputies, who arrived at the scene around 8:33 p.m. on June 5.
According to the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office, deputies contacted a man at the end of a driveway, who led them onto the property. There, they discovered a woman restrained with chains, unable to leave. A short distance away, deputies found a body buried near where the woman was being held.
A search warrant was quickly obtained, and the Washington State Patrol Forensics Team was called in to process the site. The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office is now investigating to determine the cause and manner of death of the deceased individual, described as an adult male.
Following the preliminary investigation, John L. Rosen, 48, of Newport, was arrested and booked on multiple felony charges, including first- and second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree rape, and unlawful imprisonment.
Shawna L. McGlothen, 28, of Deer Park, was also arrested for providing false or misleading statements to law enforcement. A second male who was initially detained has since been released after questioning.
“All known suspects are currently in custody,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement Thursday. “This is a very complex and ongoing investigation.”
Officials praised the rapid and coordinated response of multiple agencies, including the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office, Newport Police Department, Kalispel Tribal Police, and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victim or the woman who was rescued. No further details have been disclosed about the circumstances leading up to the incident, which remains under investigation.
