Update: Longview homicide victim was to testify against 'person of interest'
Tuesday, January 6, 2009 5:16 PM PST
By Leslie Slape
Printable version
E-mail this articleJeremy McLean of Longview, who was found dead last week at Willow Grove Park, was expected to be a witness for the prosecution in the drug-dealing trial of the man authorities describe as a "person of interest" in McLean’s death, Cowlitz County sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Joe Reiss said Sunday.
Deputies said they expect the person of interest, William Vance Reagan, 51, of Longview to be charged in connection with McLean’s death, which is being investigated as a homicide.
Although detectives have not determined a motive for the killing, McLean’s anticipated testimony in Reagan’s trial is the "only link we could find between Jeremy and Reagan," Reiss said.
McLean’s body was found Wednesday at the western end of Willow Grove Park, a 65-acre county park along the Columbia River west of Longview. His parents had reported him missing Dec. 29.
Detectives have not released information on the cause of death.
A 2000 graduate of Mark Morris High School, McLean played golf and wrestled for the Monarchs. He formerly worked at a Longview fitness center.
Reagan and his girlfriend, Victoria Louise Gatti, 47, also of Longview, were arrested Saturday at a Portland motel after an off-duty Tacoma police officer happened to spot their blue Lincoln Mark IV. The officer recognized the car from photos and descriptions the sheriff’s office sent law enforcement agencies.
Portland police, including SWAT members, arrested Reagan and Gatti, Reiss said. Police tasered Reagan when he put his hands behind his back instead of in the air, Reiss said.
Reagan and Gatti were clearly "on the run," Reiss said. They had hair dye, fake IDs, new cell phones and several thousand dollars in cash in their room, he said.
Their car "appeared to be stuffed with all their belongings, clothing and food, up to the top of the windows," Reiss said.
Reiss said sheriff’s detectives are still seeking a third "person of interest" who may have left the area.
Reagan and Gatti were booked into an Oregon jail on suspicion of violating the conditions of their release before their trials. Authorities plan to transfer them to the Cowlitz County Jail, Reiss said.
The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Narcotics Task Force arrested Reagan and Gatti on Aug. 25. Gatti is scheduled to stand trial in Cowlitz County Superior Court on Jan. 12, while Reagan is set to go to trial on Jan. 26.
Anyone who has knowledge of the homicide case is encouraged to call Reiss at 577-3092. Anonymous calls may be made to Crime Stoppers of Cowlitz County at 577-1206 and could be eligible for up to $1,000 reward.
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