AGNEW — Clallam County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating the deaths of two people found in a car west of Agnew as homicides.
Clay Lee Haltom, 60, and Bryana Emila Presler, 43, were found dead after a single-car collision with a tree in the 10 block of Wild Currant Way was reported to authorities at about 3:43 p.m. Thursday.
Their injuries did not seem consistent with a low-speed collision, so investigators continued to examine the scene, according to Chief Deputy Brian King.
Investigators now believe both died as a result of gunshot wounds to the back of the heads.
Autopsies are scheduled for the middle of this week, he said.
King did not know what caliber weapon was used.
The two lived together on Wild Currant Way as boyfriend and girlfriend, according to King.
A relative of Haltom’s was arrested at about 5:23 p.m. Thursday on an unrelated, out-of-county misdemeanor warrant for theft a short distance from the scene, King said.
The Clallam County jail roster shows a 40-year-old man with the surname of Haltom was booked at 10:15 p.m. Thursday on a misdemeanor warrant and unlawful possession of a firearm. He was not connected to the deaths, according to King.
“It’s still a fluid investigation. We’re following up on a number of leads,” King said.
The investigation included processing potential DNA from items found in the car, which was described as “cluttered,”
The road was expected to reopen Friday or early Saturday.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s office was assisted by the Port Angeles and Sequim police departments and the Washington State Patrol Crime Scene Response Team.
“We would also like to recognize our Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue volunteers for their continued dedication to our mission,” King said in a press release.
“Assisted by Kitsap County Search and Rescue and WSP K-9 units, the teams conducted an exhaustive evidence search of the area.”