King5.com
Police have surrounded this underground bunker in the Rattlesnake Ridge wilderness, near North Bend, Wash., where they believe Peter Keller, the prime suspect in the murders of his wife and daughter, is holed up.
By KING5.com and news services
NORTH BEND, Wash. -- King County sheriff and Seattle police SWAT teams have surrounded an underground bunker in the Rattlesnake Ridge wilderness area where they believe Peter Keller, the prime suspect in the murders of his wife and daughter, is holed up.
Tactical teams have fired tear gas into the bunker near the Rattlesnake Ridge Trailhead, but Keller has not surrendered and the bunker appears to be well fortified, said Sgt. Cindi West with the King County Sheriff's Office.
West said they haven't spotted Keller but have heard movement, so he's likely inside. West said they intend to smoke him out using tear gas. Police believe he is heavily armed, wearing a gas mask and likely has the bunker booby-trapped.
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Sheriff’s detectives found clues to the whereabouts of the Cascade Mountains foothills bunker after investigators processed the crime scene at the burned house where his wife and daughter were murdered. They found photos of the bunker on a computer hard drive and discs, which Keller likely thought would be destroyed in the fire, police said.
Based on the photos, detectives believe Keller has been building the elaborate bunker for at least 8 years. The bunker is fortified by logs, dirt and is very well hidden. SWAT teams at the scene believe the bunker could have multiple levels.
Investigators were able to spot significant landmarks in the photos. Tips from people who had seen Keller’s red truck at the Rattlesnake Ridge Trailhead over the past year helped investigators narrow their search.
Early Friday morning, Seattle Police SWAT teams began a systematic search on foot of the Rattlesnake Ridge Trailhead. They spotted fresh deep footprints about 800 yards away from the trail, which indicated someone had been carrying a heavy load recently.
Within hours, teams located the bunker in a hillside above the trailhead. They could even smell smoke coming from a wood-burning stove inside the bunker.
Police believe Keller murdered his wife, Lynette, and his 18-year-old daughter, Kaylene, in their home near North Bend last Sunday. Kaylene and Lynette were shot in the head and their home was set on fire.
"Based on the facts that we have right now, we believe that violent death came to Lynnettee and Kaylene unexpectedly in their home from a family member who had been familiar and trusted," Sheriff Steve Strachan said at a news conference.
Probable cause documents reveal Keller said he was "preparing for the end of the world" and had often carried supplies to a "fort in the woods." Court documents also reveal that:
- The fire was set by placing a plastic gas can into a skillet on the stove and turning on the burner - Keller was known to have a gun collection and body armor - all the weapons were missing from the home - Keller had withdrawn $6,200 in cash from his bank account on Friday - The safe in the home was left open, as was the door of a shed - Keller purchased a new laptop computer within the last two weeks - Keller's mountain bike is missing
Family members said Keller, considered a capable and well-equipped outdoorsman, has a "survivalist mentality" and a "distaste for authority." Authorities consider Keller armed and extremely dangerous.
"The obvious question is how much danger does Keller present for hikers, campers and the public," said Strachan.
Investigators have posted posters at many trailheads near North Bend in the I-90 corridor, asking if anyone has spotted Keller's truck, but also warning people to not go near him and instead immediately call 911.
Rattlesnake Ridge Trailhead is closed to the public, but other trails remained open, said West.
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