Woman’s husband and his friend arrested in twisted Washington state murder plot

A man is in jail in Oregon after being arrested in connection to the murder of a woman in a Vancouver, Washington suburb, Washington law enforcement authorities said.

A Washington state woman's husband's friend has been arrested in connection with her killing, and her husband is suspected of orchestrating the murder and staging a burglary, according to the Clark County Sheriff's Office.

On March 23, just before 7 p.m., deputies responded to a home in Hockinson, Washington, following a report of a woman found with a gunshot wound by her husband and two friends upon arriving at the house.

The woman, later identified as Lindy Rummel, 60, of Brush Prairie, Washington, had already passed away by the time deputies reached the scene.

Authorities noted that a truck, described as a 2001 black Ford F-150 with Washington state plates, had been reported stolen from the scene, and it was believed that the perpetrator of the woman’s murder had taken the vehicle.

Initially, Lindy's death was reported as stemming from an apparent home invasion and burglary. However, on March 24, deputies received a tip about a potential murder suspect, prompting an investigation.

This tip led to the arrest of Darrell Riley, 55, by the Eugene Police Department in Eugene, Oregon. The stolen truck was discovered in Oregon, having been set on fire in what authorities believed was an attempt to destroy evidence related to the murder.

According to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, their investigation revealed that Riley was a friend of the deceased woman’s husband, James Rummell.

Further investigation showed that Rummell had driven to Eugene to pick up Riley and bring him to Clark County the day before the murder occurred.

Subsequently, Rummell was arrested for allegedly making false statements to a public servant after a search warrant was executed at his home.

Authorities stated that they had found evidence suggesting James Rummell may have solicited Riley to stage a fake burglary as part of a plot to murder Lindy Rummell.

Riley is currently held on a Temporary Felony Warrant for Murder in the First Degree and will remain in custody in Oregon while the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office pursues extradition.

James Rummell was booked into the Clark County Jail for Making False Statements to a Public Servant, and authorities indicated that additional charges are possible as he is considered a suspect in the murder.

The investigation remains ongoing.