Kent Police arrested a 46-year-old Des Moines man for investigation of second-degree murder of a man in Kent in 2021.
Valley SWAT and Kent detectives executed a search warrant in the early morning hours of Nov. 17 at a Des Moines address to arrest the suspect, according to a Nov. 19 Kent Police news release. Officers took the man into custody without incident after SWAT surrounded the residence and Valley hostage negotiators contacted the man via phone.
The homicide investigation began Dec. 12, 2021 when Austin Leming, 36, was reported as a missing person to the Puyallup Police Department. Initially his last known location was reported to be in Puyallup and there were indications that he might be missing under suspicious circumstances.
As investigators began to trace his last known movements, they were eventually led to a Kent apartment, according to police. Detectives took over the case and continued to canvas for Leming.
Through intense investigation, detectives were able to piece together that Leming was last known to be with the suspect arrested on Nov. 17, according to police. Detectives gathered evidence and obtained a search warrant to search the man’s apartment in Kent where they discovered blood and evidence that Leming had been in the apartment prior to his disappearance, according to police.
Detectives continued investigating all possible leads over the past four years, attempting to locate Leming’s whereabouts. They wrote and served search warrants, retraced where Leming was known to travel, and interviewed all persons who knew him or his friends in the hopes of finding new leads.
Detectives eventually were able to develop the probable cause necessary to arrest the Des Moines man for investigation of murder, according to police.
Karen Leming, the mother of Austin Leming, posted a photo of her son Nov. 17 on Facebook with the comment, “Always in my heart.”
Washington’s Most Wanted, a Fox 13 show that works with Crime Stoppers to seek tips from the public, reported in 2023 about Leming and said that he is presumed dead, although no details were released about why that might be the case. Kent Police also did not release why Leming is presumed dead.
The Kent Reporter is not yet naming the suspect because he has yet to be formally charged.
Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla praised the work of his detectives.
“This case is a perfect example of the dedication and commitment our detectives have to bring closure to the family of the victim, and justice to those who committed this heinous crime,” Padilla said. “We continue to work to locate Austin’s remains as we support his family through this difficult time.”
The remains of Leming have still not been located, If you have any knowledge about this case, please contact the Kent Police Tip Line at 253-856-5808, email KPDTipLine@kentwa.gov or call CrimeStoppers Tip Line 1-800-222-8477. If your tip is urgent, please call 911.
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