POULSBO — Hunter Schaap called 911 shortly before 11:30 p.m. Jan. 27 before he and other family members were killed in their Seabeck home, Kitsap County sheriff’s officials confirmed Feb. 10.
“Based on what we know right now, it was Hunter Schaap,” Detective Lt. Earl Smith said. He said he didn’t know where Schaap was when he made the call.
In the recording of the 911 call, Schaap is heard telling 911, “Please come now.” The dispatcher: “What’s the address?” Schaap: “13417 Tenino Drive West.” The dispatcher: “13417.” Schaap: “13417 Tenino Drive West. Come now.” Then, inaudible sounds.
Officers responding to the scene found the house on fire and, later, in different rooms of the house, the bodies of Christale Lynn Careaga, 37; her son, Johnathon F. Higgins, 16; and Schaap, 16.
The body of Careaga’s husband, John D. Careaga, 43, was found in his burned truck on Jan. 29 at a tree farm in Mason County. Investigators say all four were murdered. (John Careaga was Schaap’s former stepfather.)
The Careagas owned Juanito’s Taco Shop and Christale’s Java Hut on Kitsap Way. Schaap was a student and athlete at North Kitsap High School. Higgins attended Klahowya Secondary School. An estimated 700 people attended a celebration of life in honor of the four, Feb. 7 at GracePoint Church in Bremerton.
Meanwhile, the murders are still under investigation; the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department is being assisted by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab. Smith said Feb. 8 that investigators have finished collecting evidence from the crime scenes. He said this case is the department’s number one priority.
“Every single day, every available detective is working on this case,” Smith said. “We’re working hard. We’re making progress.”
He added, “We believe there are people out there with information that haven’t come forward and talked to us. I understand people might be anxious or concerned. However, we want to emphasize that callers can remain anonymous.”
Crimestoppers of Puget Sound is offering a $4,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect or suspects. Call 1-800-222-TIPS or go to www.crimestoppers.com. Callers can remain anonymous.
