Police say a 41-year-old woman who was found dead near a homeless camp was strangled, and the suspect admitted to detectives he killed her to put her out of her misery.
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Story Published: Nov 25, 2009 at 11:09 AM PST Story Updated: Nov 25, 2009 at 11:09 AM PST
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BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- A 45-year-old man admitted to detectives he strangled a Bellingham woman near a homeless camp Monday night because he wanted the victim to "stop hurting."
James "Kevin" Schultea is being held in the Whatcom County Jail for investigation of first-degree murder.
The body of Rubey Erickson, 41, was found in a wooded area common to several homeless camps Monday evening. An autopsy concluded the woman had been strangled and the medical examiner ruled the death a murder.
Schultea was the one who called police to the scene of Erickson's body, where he told detectives he had met up with her about three hours earlier and knew her from an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting last year, police said.
The suspect told detectives he, Erickson and a third person were talking about Erickson's past failed relationships and at one point in the conversation, Erickson got angry and walked away. He said he later found Erickson's body near a pond in the woods, and suggested the third person was responsible, detectives said.
Police interviewed and ruled out the third person and asked Schultea to come back for further questioning on Tuesday. During that interview, Schultea admitted to killing Erickson, police said. In his statement to detectives, he said he and Erickson went to a tent in the homeless camp around 2:30 p.m. on Monday and began drinking. When Erickson got emotional about her past relationships, Schultea said he decided he wanted Erickson to stop hurting.
After Erickson fell asleep, Schultea strangled Erickson, then left her body nude near the pond in order to throw off police, detectives said.
Schultea's next court appearance was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
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