The Murder of Linda Berukoff
Presented by the Yakima Police Department
Case Summary:
An unidentified woman was found beat and sexually assaulted near railroad tracks in east Yakima on January 30th, 2020 and was later identified as Linda Berukoff who was homeless and known to engage in prostitution. Canvassing of local businesses in the area where the murder occurred provided no obvious leads and several prostitutes came forward with stories of abusive Johns and potential suspects. Several persons of interest were identified including the original 9-1-1 caller; however, the case went cold until another woman was attacked and nearly killed a few months later. That investigation, seemingly unrelated, eventually led to the discovery of Linda’s killer.
Presenter
Detective Drew Shaw, Yakima Police Department
Drew Shaw has been a police officer for 28 years and a detective for the past 16 years. During his career, he served as a patrol officer before being selected as one of the original members of the Gang Enforcement Team during which time he served as a Task Force Officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. In January of 2010, Detective Shaw was selected to the Major Crimes Unit where he spent 11 years before transferring to the Internal Affairs Unit as the department’s force investigations detective. After spending four years in the Internal Affairs Unit, Detective Shaw returned to the Major Crimes Unit in January of 2025 where he currently serves.
Detective Shaw also serves as a longstanding member of the WHIA Executive and Advisory Board.