Kent man murdered, dismembered another man after argument over drugs, prosecutors say
Nov 20, 2025, 3:52 PM | Updated: 3:55 pm
A Kent man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of another man nearly four years ago. Prosecutors said he dismembered the body.
Brian Christopher Mares, 46, is accused of killing Austin Matthew Leming, 36, on Dec. 8, 2021, during an argument over fentanyl pills and methamphetamine, according to prosecutors.
Investigators said Leming’s blood was found throughout Mares’ apartment, but his remains have never been recovered.
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Douglas Wagoner, spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, said it’s unclear how Leming died. Mares was shot and wounded during the dispute, he said.
“Anytime we see acts of this extreme violence, and you have the level of brutality and violence in the aftermath of a murder like this, it’s really troubling,” Wagoner said. “The evidence from police speaks to, you know, pools of blood and a lot of bloodshed in the wake of the murder, and so it’s just a really tragic case, and certainly the scenes that were remaining after the murder are graphic and disturbing.”
Mares’ bail is set at $5 million. He is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 24.
Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.
