Thurston County detectives search for perpetrator who killed homeless man and buried him near river

YELM, Wash. – Detectives with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a homicide after a man’s body was found in a shallow grave near the Nisqually River earlier this week.

The sheriff’s office said detectives had received several tips about a missing man who was believed to have been killed and buried near Yelm.

On June 4, detectives discovered the man’s body near the Nisqually River outside of Yelm. He was identified as Robert Erwin, believed to be in his early 40s and homeless in the Yelm area.

His family has been notified, the sheriff’s office said.

Anyone with information about Erwin or his death is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department via email at [email protected].