Mercer Island resident’s body discovered

Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) has released a statement noting that the body of Islander Curtis Engeland was recently discovered by an outside agency more than 100 miles from his residence in the 3000 block of 62nd Avenue Southeast.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined Engeland’s death a homicide.

The medical examiner’s office listed Engeland, 74, on its March 11 online decedents list and said the manner of death was a “sharp force injury of neck.” The date of the incident is unknown.

Engeland’s body was found in the city of Cosmopolis, which is in Grays Harbor County.

“The Mercer Island Police Department believes there is no related threat to the Mercer Island community,” the release adds.

MIPD detectives are currently investigating the case and MIPD didn’t release any more information. The Reporter will share further details on the case when it becomes available.

As next-door neighbor Laurie Goeken glanced over at Engeland’s home on March 12, she spoke softly, “It’s just devastating news. It feels like we need more people like that in this world — not less. Just a caring human.” Engeland brought vegetables and cookies to the Goeken home along with presents for their children.

When Goeken learned that Engeland was missing and then was found killed, she was shocked and likened the situation to a nightmare episode of CSI.

According to a previous Reporter story, Engeland was last spotted at 6:30 a.m. on Feb. 23 in his residential area as noted in a report that his roommate filed with MIPD on Feb. 24. The report added that Engeland was acting outside of his normal routine.

After the roommate contacted MIPD, officers and investigative staff immediately connected with Engeland’s family and friends to identify his normal routine and behaviors, according to police, who issued a missing person bulletin and requested Washington State Patrol to activate a silver alert for the at-risk man. State patrol posted the alert on Feb. 29.

For the last few weeks, residents have expressed their concerns for the man and inquired about investigation updates on the MIPD Facebook page.

Goeken, who resided next door to Engeland for the last 10 or so years, said the close-knit neighbors on their quiet street are in shock.

“Yesterday was a hard day for us all,” she noted about the news of Engeland’s death. By talking with the press and getting the word out while he was missing, they had “hope somewhere inside that Curt’s gonna come walking back down the street, and then yesterday was all about finding out that that’s not gonna happen.”

Engeland was a lovely person and an amazing neighbor, said Goeken, adding that he was an avid gardener and an active person who hiked Mount Si and Mailbox Peak nearly every month. He was thrilled about tending to his garden this spring, and Goeken said she’ll continue to upkeep Engeland’s garden in his honor. She planned to add carnations to Engeland’s garden the following day — flowers that he loved and which are part of his personality.

As she brings Engeland’s characteristics to life through her words, Goeken mentioned that Engeland was tight with his family members. He also doted on his cats, and when they were left unattended on Feb. 24, Goeken said that raised a giant red flag that he was missing.

“Right now at this point with this devastating news that confirms our worst, worst, worst fear and nightmares, we’re just hoping that we can get a conclusion to find out exactly what happened as soon as possible,” said Goeken, who appreciates the police department’s diligent work on the case.