A $15,000 reward is being offered by law enforcement for information that could lead to the arrest of a Rockport man wanted in connection to a triple killing.
Jason Birman has not been seen since Aug. 9 after a fire destroyed a home he was living in at the time. Three bodies were recovered from the fire — Birman’s wife Erin, 52, and her son Taylor Dawson, 19, and his girlfriend, Jillian Whitney Van Boven, 18.
The Skagit County Coroner’s Office identified the victims on Aug. 17 and determined gunshots had contributed to the death of all three.
A warrant for Jason was issued the same day the victims were identified and he is wanted for three counts of second-degree homicide. Court documents show the warrant was issued nationwide.
Now, nearly a month after the murders, the U.S. Marshals-led Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force is offering a financial reward for information that leads to Birman’s arrest. The reward is a combination of funds: $5,000 from the United States Marshal Services and $10,000 from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
Birman is described as a 50-year-old white man with blond hair and blue eyes. He is 5 feet, 11 inches and weighs around 210 pounds. He owns a blue 1994 Chevrolet Pickup Truck, GMT400, with Washington plates, registration C67636L.
Neither Birman nor his truck have been seen since the fire.
Anyone who has had contact with Birman or has any information about his whereabouts is urged to call the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-926-8332, submit a tip using USMS Tips or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). If seen, call 911 and do not approach.
Erin Birman was described by her four remaining children as “a force of nature, a woman who faced life’s challenges head-on with a spirit that could never be broken.” She had 11 grandchildren.
Taylor and Jillian shared a deep love of the outdoors and both enjoyed hiking barefoot in the mountains.
Jillian loved forensics and animal veterinary sciences. Taylor worked at Howard Miller Steelhead Park, near the confluence of the Sauk and Skagit rivers.
GoFundMe pages have been set up for Erin and Taylor’s family, Jillian’s father Matt and her mother GuruBani Whitney Young to help offset the costs of memorial services, counseling and other unexpected expenses due to the tragedy.
Erin worked as a mental health professional embedded with the crisis response team in the East Precinct of Skagit County Sheriff’s Office.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
