Kirkland PD unveils cold case website, seeks tips on 2006 homicide

The Kirkland Police Department (KPD) has introduced a Cold Cases webpage for the department’s unsolved cases, which is intended to keep each case in the public eye and find additional information.

“Our goal is to keep these cases in the public eye and encourage anyone with knowledge of these cases to contact our Investigations Division,” KPD stated. “Even the smallest detail could help bring closure to victims and their families.”

There is one open cold case provided on the webpage, a 2006 homicide of John Schuoler, and KPD continues to seek the community’s assistance in closing it. Additional cases are expected to be posted as they become available.

Details from the 2006 homicide of Kirkland’s John Schuoler

John Austin Schuoler, 23, was found dead in his bedroom by his roommate on September 15, 2006. The cause of death was ruled as a homicide due to blunt force trauma.

KPD noted that despite an extensive investigation, no suspect was charged in the case, and the investigation went cold.

Schuoler was known as John LeBar in high school, lived at the Sunset Shores apartment complex in Kirkland, and worked at a local restaurant. The post recognized Schuoler as a “local fixture” in the Kirkland community

On September 14, 2006, Schuoler had the day off from work. He met with a friend for lunch at Cucina-Cucina in Kirkland, and later went shopping at Old Navy in Bellevue.

At 3:47 p.m., Schuoler called his mother, Elaine “Lani” Faye, and left a voicemail. KPD stated this was the last time Lani had contact with her son.

John returned to his apartment at approximately 7:00 p.m., visited with his friends and his roommate, and communicated with others on his computer and cell phone until roughly 10:00 p.m.

Schuoler would later be discovered dead by his roommate after the roommate returned from work the next day.

The KPD investigation did not find evidence of a forced entry into the apartment. Schuoler’s hunter green “army style” canvas backpack, purchased from REI, was missing from the room.

Investigators believe John’s killer was someone he knew, and not a random act of violence.

On August 3, 2012, Schuoler’s mother, Lani, passed away without knowing the identity of her son’s killer. KPD noted that at the time of her death, she continued to be convinced that people with information regarding John’s murder would come forward.

KPD is asking for the community’s help in bringing closure and justice for John and the rest of his surviving family.

Those with information regarding John Schuoler’s case can submit a tip here. Emails can also be sent directly to the investigations supervisor at pdinvestigationsupervisors@kirklandwa.gov

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