Woman found dead in trunk was strangled

Woman found dead in trunk was strangled

By KOMO Staff

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. -- A 75-year-old woman who was found dead in her car's trunk was strangled, the King County Medical Examiner's Office said Friday.

Jane Carol Britt was found Wednesday in the trunk of her 2002 Gold Mercedes in the parking lot of the Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence. Her son says she had gone there to visit her husband.

Police on Friday also cleared a man previously sought as a person of interest in the case. Surveillance video showed the man limping away from the scene where Britt was found, but the man came forward and spoke with investigators, who said they determined he was not involved.

Detectives still don't know what prompted the killing and say they're desperate for leads.

"You know, we're just really trying to put that together," police spokeswoman Cathy Schrock said. "That's one of the reasons we've come to you to get anyone who might have been in the area in the last 48 hours to see if they recognize her or her vehicle and to give us a call."

Police have ruled out domestic issues, as Britt's husband is so disabled that he doesn't leave his room. Officer's also searched Britt's house, but came out empty-handed.

"Of course it's shock," said Todd Fletcher of Garden Terrace. We're a community of families and caregivers that care deeply for our residents and to lose one of our family members is very difficult."

Britt's friend and neighbor Jim Dupree said he was stunned to learn of her death.

"It is just a kick in the gut. She's the last person that should have happened to," he said. "How they're going to break the news to him (Britt's husband) is beyond me. That's a tragedy in itself."

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective Doug Deyo at (253) 835-6891 or call 911.

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