Valerie Claplanhoo

Valerie Claplanhoo

Port Angeles vigil planned in honor of Valerie Claplanhoo

Makah tribal member was found slain in Sequim apartment

PORT ANGELES — A vigil is planned to honor Valerie Claplanhoo, whose body was found in her Sequim apartment earlier this month.

On Monday at 5 p.m. friends will gather at Veterans Memorial Park, 217 S. Lincoln St., Port Angeles, to say goodbye to Claplanhoo.

Brianna Kelly said she is organizing the vigil after she heard from many friends who were asking about a service or memorial, but none had been planned until later in the year.

Kelly said she didn’t know Claplanhoo well, but she knows many people who did. She wanted to provide an opportunity for them to grieve and to celebrate her life.

“Friends are missing her and I wanted to help them,” she said.

Claplanhoo died of traumatic injuries due to homicidal violence, according to the Clallam County coroner. She was found Jan. 2 in her home at Sunbelt Apartments, a complex owned by the Peninsula Housing Authority and operated by Serenity House of Clallam County.

Police said Monday they are continuing to investigate the death and no arrests have been made.

Sequim Police Chief Sheri Crain said the case is “still a highest of priorities,” but that she would not be releasing more information at this time.

“It’s really sad and it’s hard to imagine a place that was meant to house people and be safe, that a tragedy like this could happen there,” Kelly said.

Brandan McCarty, Claplanhoo’s son, said Monday he is thankful for the vigil. He said he didn’t realize how many people knew his mother and he hopes the vigil will give people a chance to find closure.

“My mom had a loving heart and she was always helping someone, even if it was the coat off her back or the food she was eating,” McCarty said. “She was always willing to give to others without thinking.”

It’s a trait McCarty said he tried to carry on in his life.

“I follow my mom’s example that she had set,” he said.

McCarty said his mother, a Makah tribal member, loved to weave baskets, bake, cook and write poetry. He said she kept journals that were filled with her poetry, which he hopes to see published some day.

“All I can think about is that she’s such a wonderful person and I don’t know why she was taken from us,” McCarty said. “All she did was love.”

He said each member of his family is struggling with her death and everyone is doing their best to move forward.

Claplanhoo is survived by her three sisters and her three children, McCarty said.

“My little sister is doing her best to move forward; I’m doing my best to move forward, but I still have sad moments,” McCarty said, adding he will work on paintings in her memory.

“We’re all grieving in our own way.”

McCarty said a celebration of life is planned for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. May 4 at the Makah Tribal Community Hall, 81 Third Ave., Neah Bay.

________

Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Budget goals discussed at Port Angeles council meeting

Ideas sorted into short- and long-term goals

Chimacum drainage district is reactivated

Next steps are to appoint an interim board, adopt assessment system

A helicopter joins the firefighting effort Tuesday afternoon at the Belgian Fire near Brinnon. (Brinnon Fire Department)
Belgian fire under control

Firefighters remained on scene Wednesday

Electronics recycling event set for Saturday

The Port Angeles Noon Rotary will host an electronics… Continue reading

Lane closure set Wednesday for art installation

The southbound lane of Race Street in Port Angeles… Continue reading

Beachgoers look for a spot on the sand on Sunday afternoon at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend. Mount Rainier looms in the distance. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Summer sand

Beachgoers look for a spot on the sand on Sunday afternoon at… Continue reading

First Fed accused in Ponzi scheme

Resignations came amid $107M lawsuit

Ballots for Aug. 5 primary election to be mailed today

Hospital commission, Port Angeles, Port Townsend city council races to be determined

Port Angeles to host forum on Rayonier cleanup

Special meeting scheduled for Tuesday

Drought conditions may require trucks to bring water to West End

Clallam Bay/Seiku and Island View water systems are under stage… Continue reading

Clallam County Democrats to host candidate forums

The Clallam County Democrats will host a series of… Continue reading