The former boyfriend of a Washington woman who was found dead with her 7-year-old daughter has been charged with first-degree murder as a suspect in their killings.
Kirkland Warren was already being held in the Clark County Jail on $1 million bail for several other charges, including violation of a protection order.
Authorities confirmed the new murder charges are connected to 27-year-old Meshay Melendez and her daughter, Layla Stewart, who were found dead on March 22.
Meshay and Layla were reported missing earlier this month after they were last seen on Sunday, March 12. Warren, who is Melendez’ former boyfriend, was named a person of interest in their disappearance.
Court records show that Warren was out on bail pending a long-delayed murder trial in Arkansas. But when he was arrested in southwestern Washington early this month on charges that he assaulted Melendez and fired a gunshot into her apartment, he quickly posted bond and was released again.
He is set to be arraigned on the two first-degree murder charges on Monday.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there is help available. You can call 1-800-799-SAFE or chat with someone online at thehotline.org.
Tell us your thoughts...