Edward, 81, and Wilhelmina "Minnie", 83, Maurin. / Courtesy photo Lewis County Sheriff's Office
Updated at 11:05 a.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – An arrest has been made in what has been described as one of the most horrific homicides in Lewis County, an elderly couple believed abducted from their Ethel home, shot to death and dumped in a wooded area near Adna more than a quarter century ago.
The bodies of Edward and Wilhelmina “Minnie” Maurin were found on Christmas Eve 1985.
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office yesterday arrested 53-year-old Rick Riffe in Alaska, according to the sheriff’s office.
The former Lewis County resident and his brother have long been primary suspects in the cold case.
Additional evidence and witnesses finally talking is what helped solve the case, according to Sheriff Steve Mansfield.
“Detectives feel many witnesses did not come forward during the time of the initial investigation due to being fearful of the Riffe brothers and possible retaliation for speaking out,” Mansfield said in a news release.
The two men moved to Alaska in 1987 and John Riffe died a week before detectives purchased tickets to travel there and arrest them, according to the sheriff.
Rick Riffe, who resides in King Salmon, Alaska, was arrested yesterday and will be processed for extradition back to Lewis County to stand trial, Mansfield stated.
Mansfield said his office has developed information the brothers kidnapped the couple from their home, drove them to their bank in Chehalis and forced them to withdraw $8,500 before killing them.
They were reported missing Dec. 19, 1985 after guests arrived for a Christmas party at their house along U.S. Highway 12, and nobody was home. The following day, their car was found abandoned in the Yard Birds parking lot in Chehalis.
The keys were in the ignition and blood stains were found in the car, according to the sheriff’s office. On Christmas Eve day, their bodies were found at the end of Stearns Hill Road.
Former Lewis County Commissioner Dennis Hadaller said he has waited 26 years and seven months for this day.
Hadaller offered rewards and hired private detectives to find who killed his mother and her husband.
“I really appreciate all the help, the sheriff’s department and the people that came forward with new evidence,” Hadaller said this morning.
The Mayfield Lake area resident who is now 84, said he’s “tickled” but the news is sad too, bringing back memories. It didn’t take him by surprise however, he said.
“I’ve been involved all along, we had to keep everything pretty quiet, what was happening,” he said. “I couldn’t even tell my own children or close friends.”
He couldn’t tell even his younger sister Hazel Oberg, he said.
The Toledo woman and her husband were having breakfast when they got the news this morning.
“Well it was a shock for me to hear it on the radio, an awful shock,” Oberg said. “But I’m calming now. It makes me relive it.”
Oberg, 82, called it a relief.
“In a way, we’re just thrilled,” she said. “I guess you could call it thrilled. I’m in tears.”
A press conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. today with the sheriff, Hadaller and Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer who will share details of the investigation.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
I suggest we get rid of
Governor Inslee first and take the moratorium of the death penalty off the table so we can proceed with a punishment that fits the crime!!
i lived next doorto him and she died from suicide! i had friend that was there when it happened! a hand gun was involved!
i lived next door to him when he’s wife died! suicide for sure! i know someone that was there when it happened!
I worked with the Riffe brothers for six years. I lived with John riffe(he went by Greg) for a summer. I can’t believe they did this. Rick was definetly the mastermind. I hope they enjoy eternal life in hell.
this update is actually a miracle. not just to me , but to my family. we have lived in fear of them, and lived with pain and hurtful memories of things these two have done to us. i pray this case will show there is no where to run and no where to hide when you do such sinful, immoral things to others. that one day you will get what you deserve . thank you to all that are willing and or able to assist in getting rick what he deserves .
iam so happy for dennis haddler, to have had this solved..after all these years of waiting .
As I may say that John was married and wife died up in Alaska. I wanna know what happen to her…
This has been one of those cases that many in the sheriff’s office worked on and lost a lot of sleep over for so many years. It will be good to see this guy brought to justice and give closure to the family. He’s been out scott free for 27 years, if he is proven guilty, put him away for life and do everything possible to keep him alive and locked up. Make him pay for those two wonderful people and their family!! Or turn him loose, I bet there is a few in the Hadaller family that would love to…. CHAT with him on the street!!! Congrates to L.C.S.O. and THANKS for never giving up.
Babyface5483 – What happened to John Riffe’s wife? Also, how did he die? I am a witness in this case and have been trying not to forget anything for the past 25 years so I am just very curious about everything involving this case. This is great news that an arrest has been made, I hope it brings peace to the family.
I wish we could find out what really happen to john riffe wife…. I know that they were a part of her too.
I am so happy to hear that this case has finally been solved. These were great people and justice will finally been seen for them.
Finally at last. I’m pleased to see that justice will be served in this case, I just wish it could be swift and sure.
Get the trial over and done with. Then get the shotgun out if he is guilty. Decades of freedom he had. I do not wish to provide him with free room and board as well as health care for the remainder of his life.