THURSTON COUNTY, Wash — An Olympia man has been arrested on suspicion of unlawful disposal of human remains following a death investigation that began Monday afternoon in southeast Thurston County.

Thurston County Sheriff’s deputies responded around 3 p.m. on Jan. 12 to the area near Lindsay Road Southeast and 153rd Avenue Southeast outside of Yelm after receiving a report of a deceased man. 

Upon arrival, deputies found a man with visible injuries to his head and torso and determined he had not died at that location, according to the sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office believes he was pulled from a vehicle and dumped, according to probable cause documents.

After launching their investigation, detectives learned the decedent may have been living nearby with another man in an RV. Detectives found evidence that connected the man’s home and vehicle to the death investigation and took him into custody.

Probable cause documents said there was no indication the person found dead was killed, but the other man did “unlawfully dispose” of the remains. Detectives also found a gun on the property that he was legally prohibited from owning because of prior convictions.

He told detectives he was home all day the man’s body was found and that no one had used his vehicle. However, deputies later confirmed through Flock data that the vehicle was seen in Yelm and later near where the body was found.

He was taken into custody on Jan. 13, but invoked his right to remain silent once transported.

At his first appearance on Wednesday, the judge ordered a $50,000 bail and pre-trial services supervision. 

KING 5 is not naming the man in custody as he has not been charged.

The investigation remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to contact detectives at detectives@co.thurston.wa.us.