The suspect in the murder of 58-year-old Douglas Scoggins that occurred last Thursday in Ferndale was found dead on Saturday in Lassen County, California.
Todd Andersen, 49, fled police after Scoggins was found with multiple gunshot wounds at Pioneer Post Frame shortly after noon.
Andersen allegedly sent an email to a family member Friday evening that indicated he was in the Clear Creek area of Lassen County, according to a Monday press release. He had childhood connections to the area.
Lassen County Sheriff’s Office was notified of Andersen’s possible location, later telling the Ferndale Police Department they had spotted the suspect. Shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, Lassen County Sheriff’s Office attempted to contact Andersen, and he committed suicide, the release stated.
Andersen was a former employee of Pioneer Post Frame, according to court documents. On Thursday, he walked into the business and asked to have lunch with Scoggins. Around a half-hour later, an employee heard gunshots and Andersen ran downstairs and allegedly pointed a gun at the employee, yelling, “He stole from me, he stole from my company,” court documents state.
Andersen then went looking for another former coworker, who had already escaped out of a window. The company’s accountant who was interviewed by police said there was a long-term L&I claim involving Andersen, but did not know the details, documents state.
A warrant for Andersen’s arrest was issued on Thursday after police identified probable cause for first-degree murder.
Cascadia Daily News will continue to update this story if more information becomes available.
