The Skagit County Coroner’s Office has identified remains found in November as belonging to a suspected murder victim who disappeared nearly a year ago.
Justin Spaeth, 45, was reported missing on Feb. 28, 2024 , from the 60000 block of Rockport Cascade Road in Marblemount after he left home to go to a friend’s house two miles away.
Three weeks later, James Kelly, 31, Concrete, was arrested on probable cause of first-degree premeditated murder in connection to Spaeth’s disappearance. Skagit County Sheriff Office deputies determined Kelly had been involved in Spaeth’s death. Kelly was taken into custody after a two-day search.
On Oct. 18, hunters found human remains in the 54000 block of Concrete Sauk Valley Road south of Rockport, according to the coroner’s office. The remains were skeletal in nature and had to be examined by the Washington state Forensic Anthropologist with DNA being submitted to find an identity.
The coroner’s office did not release cause and manner of Spaeth’s death.
But, according to court documents filed when Kelly was arrested, witnesses stated Kelly allegedly shot Spaeth after an argument where Kelly accused him of speaking to law enforcement regarding a case in which Kelly was a suspect.
Kelly then allegedly told Spaeth to go to the creek where he would put a “bullet in his head,” according to court documents.
During a search of the property where it was believed Spaeth had been killed, law enforcement found blood by the creek where the murder reportedly occurred and they found burnt clothing, according to court documents.
Along with the premeditated murder charge, Kelly also faces charges related to unlawful possession of a firearm, a Class B felony, moving/disturbing human remains, a gross misdemeanor, and attempting to elude police, a class C felony.
Kelly is expected in Skagit County Superior court on March 17 for a status conference, according to court documents. He faces up to life in prison if found guilty of murder.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
