posted July 21, 2006 09:32 AM
Updated: 03:12 AM EDT
IM This E-mail This Deployed Soldier's Family Found Murdered
KIRKLAND, Washington (July 21) - The wife, two sons and sister-in-law of a soldier serving in Iraq who were found dead in the soldier's burned-out house had been stabbed, and a neighbor has been jailed for investigation of homicide, authorities said.
Patrick Hagerty, King County Journal / AP
A memorial is formed outside a Kirkland, Wash home where the wife, two sons and sister-in-law of a soldier serving in Iraq were found murdered. A neighbor is being held in connection with the case.
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Each of the four victims had been stabbed more than once in the neck, and the fire that gutted the two-story house in this suburb east of Seattle was set with a flammable substance, apparently to cover up the killings, Police Capt. Eric Olsen said at a news conference Wednesday.
Police did not say what led them to the 24-year-old man, who was arrested at a duplex across the street from the house. According to the King County jail's Web site, Conner Michael Schierman, no hometown given, was being held for investigation of arson and four counts of homicide.
"We don't have a motive at this time," Olsen said.
Those who died in the fire were Olga Milkin, 28; her sister, Lyuba Botvin, 24, who lived at the house, and Justin and Andrew Milkin, 5 and 3, the sons of Olga and Army National Guard Sgt. Leonid Milkin, 29. All four bodies were found on the second floor.
Milkin, assigned to the 415th Military Intelligence Battalion in Baghdad, has been granted emergency leave from duty, Maj. Philip Osterli of the Washington National Guard said.
"I know we're trying to get him out. We're working with our active-duty partners, and they're saying they're getting him on the first bird out of there," Osterli said.
Pavel Milkin, the soldier's father, said at his home in Mill Creek he didn't know why anyone would want to hurt his son's family. His son is trying to keep his composure, he added: "He talked to me like a strong man. He's in control, he's not going to panic."
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The younger Milkin and his wife bought the home in October 2003 and were remodeling it. It was built in 1914.
A source close to the investigation told The Seattle Times the man in custody was walking in the neighborhood shortly before the fire was reported Monday morning. The house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, and investigators say Wednesday there were multiple points of origin and indications of an accelerant.
Residents of a house for recovering alcohol and drug abusers said the man had lived there until recently and held a maintenance job. Neighbors and the duplex owner said the man moved in about two weeks before the fire.
Milkin has been on special assignment in Baghdad since September and is currently assigned to the 415th Military Intelligence Battalion, National Guard officials said.
07-21-06 03:34 EDT
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