A 58-year-old woman faces a murder charge in connection with the death of her 97-year-old father in rural south Kitsap County.
Court records stated Renee Roberta Nash, of Port Orchard, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Harlan Haynes on March 26 in Kitsap County District Court.
Sgt. Ken Dickinson, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, said the woman remains in custody in the Kitsap County Jail on $500,000 bail. The woman was arrested March 25 after deputies completed their investigation.
During the investigation, deputies determined the daughter had been acting as her father’s guardian and his sole care provider since 2004, reported Dickinson.
He said the woman was entrusted with Haynes’ medical care, day- to-day care and ensuring his basic needs were met.
The county coroner’s office and a forensic pathologist indicated the cause of death was from malnutrition and dehydration stated court records.
“It was determined that the suspect’s failure to attend to her father’s hygienic, nutritional and medical needs were direct factors in his death,” said Dickinson.
Court documents stated that Nash called 911 after she found her father not breathing and stiff at his home in the 1900 block of Lonely Owl Lane in South Kitsap about 6:41 p.m. March 12. When deputies arrived at the scene, they discovered the man’s home was in a “deplorable” condition with an overwhelming odor of urine, cluttered with trash and animal feces.
“The deputies were unable to remain inside the home for any length of time due to being overpowered by the stench,” Dickinson said.
The Kitsap County Coroner’s office took custody of the victim’s body and later estimated the man had been dead since March 10 — two days prior to the 911 call.
Investigators met with the victim’s daughter who told them she last saw her father alive the night before. The daughter said that she had checked on him a few times during the day and thought he was sleeping. She said that she found her father dead about 4 p.m.
Persons with information concerning this investigation are asked to contact Detective Chad Birkenfeld at 360-337- 5619.
