City of Lacey, Washington, USA. Police were called to a hotel after employees discovered a deceased man locked in his hotel room. The victim’s legs and arms had been bound four-point on the bed with clothesline rope. The man’s head was completely wrapped with plastic and an empty plastic wrap box was lying on the bed next to the victim.
Fig.1 The body in the crime scene. Take note that the victim is secured four-point to the bed with ropes.
The detectives noted the bindings, which consisted of two pieces that ran under the mattress. The ropes were attached to the man’s hands and feet. One rope was attached to the man’s hands and the other rope was attached to the man’s feet. The rope went from one side of the bed to the other and was held down by the weight of the bed and the deceased. On one of the nightstands there were personal items belonging to the deceased along with two liquor bottles.
The deceased’s wallet was open with his identification. In addition there were two empty boxes of Coricidin (Cold and Cough Medication) and two empty bottles of liquor. Investigator’s located store receipts for these purchases and were later able to obtain video from the store showing the man purchasing these items. Videotape from the hotel indicated that the man had not left his room and no one had entered since he had checked into the hotel. His door was locked from the inside and the manager had to use a special key to gain entry to the room.
Fig.2 Close-up of victim’s face completely wrapped in plastic wrap.
The victimology indicated that the victim had been having trouble with alcohol for 20 to 25 years. The victim had recently been missing for a few days over the past month and was found with empty Coricidin boxes. Due to the victim’s behaviour there was going to be a family intervention. However, the victim admitted himself into an alcohol abuse rehabilitation center the next day. The victim had completed the 28-day clinic, and had been clean and sober for 30 days after being released. The victim was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after he had returned from Iraq, which worsened the alcoholism, according to his brother.
The victim’s car was located in the hotel parking lot. Detectives unlocked the car with the keys found in the deceased’s pocket. However, nothing was found inside the car to suggest why he had taken his life.
Fig.3 This crime scene photo depicts the box of plastic wrap next to the victim’s arm as well as the empty bottles of liquor and the victim’s driver’s license.
Investigation indicated that the deceased had run one rope under the mattress and box spring, and secured both feet. He then used the second rope, which also ran under the mattress and box spring to secure his right hand. He then used his free hand, which had been secured to the rope that his right hand was affixed to and quickly wrapped the plastic around his head. He then cut the plastic with his belt buckle and pulled his left hand taut using the rope affixed to his right hand.
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