ASOTIN COUNTY, WA – A suspect is now in custody at the Asotin County Jail facing multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder and first-degree arson, in connection with a 2023 house fire and the death of an Asotin County man, according to court documents.
Samuel Dean Reeves, 28, has been arrested and is accused of killing Michael L. Odom and then setting Odom’s home on fire in an alleged attempt to conceal the crime. The charges stem from a lengthy investigation by the Asotin County Sheriff’s Office following a fire that destroyed Odom’s residence along Grande Ronde Road on July 29, 2023.
According to a probable cause affidavit, deputies began investigating after Odom could not be reached for more than 24 hours and failed to show up for planned activities the day of the fire. Witnesses reported that Odom was typically in frequent contact with friends and family, making his sudden silence unusual.
Court records state that Odom’s home appeared intact earlier that evening but was fully engulfed in flames by approximately 10:45 p.m. Because the residence was outside a fire protection district, it burned to the ground. Human remains were later discovered inside the structure and positively identified as Odom.
Investigators allege Reeves was one of the last people to see Odom alive. Court documents indicate Reeves and another man visited Odom’s residence the evening before the fire. Both reportedly told investigators they left the home first, each claiming the other remained behind with Odom.
According to the affidavit, phone records, financial records, and witness statements raised questions about Reeves’ account. Investigators noted inconsistencies in Reeves’ statements about when he left the residence and whether a physical altercation occurred. Reeves later allegedly admitted he had not been truthful about his timeline.
Court documents state Odom’s landline phone placed multiple calls to Reeves’ wife, including a 19-minute call in the early morning hours of July 29.
Authorities allege Reeves was seen driving a dark-colored pickup truck with a horse trailer in the area around the time of the fire. The vehicle was recently located and seized in Idaho. According to court filings, crime lab testing revealed multiple areas inside the truck that tested presumptively positive for blood. DNA testing is ongoing.
In later interviews, Reeves’ wife reportedly told investigators she had previously lied out of fear. According to court documents, she alleged she overheard Reeves assaulting Odom during a phone call and later claimed Reeves admitted to killing Odom, returning to the residence, and intentionally setting it on fire. She also alleged Reeves threatened to kill her if she reported what happened.
The affidavit outlines several prior incidents involving Reeves, including an arrest in Oregon in 2024 for allegedly strangling his mother-in-law to the point of unconsciousness, as well as a separate probation violation related to cocaine use.
Investigators concluded there is probable cause to believe Reeves committed first-degree murder, first-degree assault, first-degree arson, and witness intimidation, according to court records.
Reeves was booked into the Asotin County Jail on Thursday afternoon. He is expected to make his initial court appearance Friday. An arraignment hearing has been set for December 15.
