The Mount Vernon Police Department released the names and causes of death for the three victims who were recovered in a residential fire last week in Rockport, Skagit County.
Erin Birman, 52; her son, Taylor Dawson, 19; and Dawson’s girlfriend, Jillian Whitney Van Boven, 18, were identified as the victims by the Skagit County Coroner’s Office, according to the Saturday, Aug. 17 news release. It was determined that gunshots contributed to the death of all three victims.
A warrant has been issued for Jason M. Birman, Erin’s husband, who has been unaccounted for since the fire on the morning of Aug. 9 and was known to reside at the residence, according to the release. Birman, 49, is wanted for three counts of second-degree murder.
A probable cause affidavit was issued on Friday, Aug. 16 in connection to the case, but has been sealed by a Skagit County judge citing that not sealing the document would “present a substantial threat to the effectiveness of the ongoing investigation,” according to court records.
Law enforcement responded to a residential fire around 10:24 a.m. Aug. 9 on State Route 530 south of Rockport, according to the release. A two-story residence belonging to Erin Birman was found destroyed, and surrounding buildings and vehicles sustained extensive damage.
Because Erin Birman was a non-law enforcement contract employee with Skagit County, the Mount Vernon Police Department headed the investigation, according to the release. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Skagit County Fire Marshall, Snohomish County Fire Marshall and Sedro-Woolley Fire Department also provided help during the excavation of the scene and subsequent investigation.
Police are asking for the public’s help in finding Jason Birman and his truck, which has been missing since the time of the fire, according to the release. The truck is described as a 1994 Chevrolet pickup with Washington plates, registration C67636L.
Birman is known to frequent Skagit and Whatcom counties and is an avid-four-wheeler.
Neighbors told CDN they hadn’t heard gunshots on the morning of Aug. 9. When they saw intense smoke and fire, Christel and Keoni Bulawan called 911.
Christel said she was “shocked” when she learned Birman was not among the victims and was a person of interest in the investigation.
Erin Birman previously worked as a member of the Integrated Model of Police and Crisis Team (IMPACT) in partnership with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office and Compass Health, according to reporting from Go Skagit in 2022. The partnership pairs law enforcement with mental health professionals to respond to 911 calls together.
She had been hired to work in the Skagit County east county detachment out of Concrete. She was also listed as a mental health professional in the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office 2022 annual report.
Two GoFundMe fundraisers have been set up to support Van Boven’s parents.
If the public has any information about Jason Birman or his vehicle’s whereabouts, they are encouraged to call the tip line at 360-661-2319. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has other information can call the 24-hour dispatch number at 360-428-3211, or call the Mount Vernon Police Department during business hours at 360-336-6271.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
