Who killed Karen Bodine? Deputies push to solve 18-year-old cold case
Who killed Karen Bodine? Family seeks answers in cold case
Who killed a mother of three in Thurston County and left her on the side of the road? For Karen Bodine's family, they've been asking those questions for almost two decades now.
ROCHESTER, Wash. - It’s been 18 years since Karlee has heard her mother, Karen Bodine, laugh. Eighteen years without having her mom around.
For 36-year-old Karlee Bodine, 18 years is half of her life.
"Eighteen years with my mom, 18 years without my mom — that’s a real reality check," Bodine said.
Who killed Karen Bodine?
Timeline:
On January 22, 2007, someone killed Karen and dumped her naked body on the side of Littlerock Road Southwest, north of Rochester, Washington.
"A lot of times when I drive by, I have a lot of anger and angst and hurt, but other times, I know she’s not in pain anymore, and she’s happy now and no one can hurt her now," Bodine said.
But, who is behind her murder? All these years later, and there’s still no arrest.
Local perspective:
"To know it’s been 18 years later, and the killer or killers are still out there really hard, they could be in line behind you at Safeway getting milk, they could be at the gas station behind you, you never know there’s a killer walking around, and that’s not okay," Bodine said.
She’s hopeful that will soon change.
Earlier this month, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office posted this cold case bulletin on Facebook and asking for any information on the unsolved murder of Karen. Her case is now just one of the many cases the Thurston County Sheriff’s new cold case unit is committed to solving.
What they're saying:
"Someone knows something and they’re not giving up and that’s not okay, and we’re here to tell you that we’re going to get you in the end," Bodine said.
Until then, Bodine and her siblings have kept Karen’s memory alive through annual candlelight vigils like the one held on Monday. Her sister was 15 years old when Karen was murdered. Her brother was 12.
"My sister had her first baby, and she would’ve been a grandma, and we’re all suffering because she isn’t there," Bodine said.
She told FOX 13 Seattle they never get used to not having their mom around.
"You get use to the disappointment that she’s not able to be there because someone stole her from you," Bodine said. "I like to think she would’ve been so proud knowing we’ve grown up and done so well."
What's next:
FOX 13 Seattle reached out to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office to talk about this case and the cold case unit. As of Monday, they were not available to talk.
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