The Murder of Henry King
Presented by the Bellingham Police Department
Case Summary:
On 3/12/23 Bellingham PD responds to a deceased male with his pants down floating in the bay. It was determined that the male had been shot and stabbed multiple times. Detectives locate blood and shell casings on a boardwalk above the water. Canvas, etc doesn’t provide any clues. BPD winds up identifying 1 device on a geofence warrant (months later). They also send the casings to a lab in Florida and get partial DNA. Ultimately, they get to probable cause and arrest the suspect. During interview he ultimately claims self-defense (debunked by scene and victim injuries). He recently pled to Murder 2nd.
Presenter (s)
Detective Travis Hauri, Bellingham Police Department
Travis R. Hauri with the Bellingham Police Department (BPD) is a duly sworn Law Enforcement Officer with 30 years of experience. He began his Law Enforcement career in Illinois, ultimately relocating to Washington State where he has been employed with the BPD since 2010. Prior to the BPD, he had over 14 years of experience as a Police Officer in Illinois. He has served as a Crime Scene Investigator, Gang Detective, SWAT Officer, and Crisis Negotiator. He was promoted to Detective focusing on the investigation of serious and violent crimes in the Major Crimes Unit; now serving as the Independent Investigations Team Member and Lead Detective.
Since 2018, while assigned to the Criminal Intelligence Unit, the bulk of his investigative work is centered around homicide, robbery, gangs, drugs, guns and organized crime. He has participated in numerous investigations including Homicides, Shootings, Officer Involved Shootings and more.
Whether dealing with Criminal Intelligence or Interviews and Interrogations, he brings a meticulous, fact-based approach, critical thinking and collaborative communication to the table. Throughout, he provides highly valuable situation assessments, intelligence and response strategies to tactical personnel, patrol personnel and command staff. With deep skills attained over his multi-jurisdictional career in culturally diverse populations, Detective Hauri adeptly leads complex and inter-agency cases, remaining focused on community related policing and justice for the victim.
Detective April Mitchelson, Bellingham Police Department
April Mitchelson has served as a law enforcement officer with the Bellingham Police Department (BPD) for 26 years. Promoted to Detective in 2016, Detective Mitchelson has worked cases in the Family Crimes/Special Victims Unit (SVU) ; Property Crimes Unit; Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) and SVU; now serving as the Independent Investigations Team Member and Lead Detective.
Serving in various roles including, Guild/Officer President from 2015-2021, Detective Mitchelson has vast training and experience in Labor Law, Officer Use of Force Investigations, Contract Negotiations and Bargaining. These skills overlap as she serves as a Peer Support Team Member that also addresses Critical Incident Stress for the Department members.
Detective Mitchelson has completed FBI Cellular Analysis Team (CAST) basic training, Criminal Investigations using Cellular Course and the Fugitive Mission Planning and Cellular Investigative Techniques.
Her career has included Undercover Narcotics Detective work along with Border Patrol, ICE and the DEA resulting in drug and asset seizures. In addition, as a Crisis Negotiator, she completed training with the FBI and served as Crisis Negotiation Team Lead from 2021-2024.