Man charged in fatal $8 robbery, stabbing at Marysville church

Snohomish County has charged Andrew Prescott Elliott with first- and second-degree murder in connection with the March 31 stabbing of 66-year-old Gheorghe Sandru near Northwest Baptist Church in Marysville.

Investigators identified Elliott as a suspect based on surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and interviews with witnesses, according to KIRO 7.

The same case is also tied to an earlier arrest of 27-year-old Keith Michael Stuard, who allegedly stabbed Sandru during a robbery attempt just after 6 a.m. Police said that Elliott dropped off Stuard and his sister at the Tulalip Resort Casino that morning in a maroon Honda.

Elliott accused of orchestrating robbery in Marysville

Further investigation, including statements from Stuard’s sister, led to Elliott’s arrest in July. She told detectives that Elliott orchestrated the robbery, provided Stuard with the knife, and promised a cut of the stolen money.

Elliott allegedly believed Sandru was carrying a large sum of cash. In reality, Sandru had only $8, which Elliott kept.

Surveillance video from several businesses later showed the group walking from Tulalip to Marysville, eventually meeting up again with Elliott near a McDonald’s and heading to Don’s Restaurant.

Confrontation and fatal stabbing

Law enforcement believes he dropped Stuard off around 90 feet from where Sandru’s body was found. Security footage reportedly shows Stuard confronting Sandru with something that looks like a knife and demanding his wallet. When Sandru tried to run, he was stabbed to death in the chest.

Later that same day, detectives located Elliott and his Honda in Everett. According to police, Elliott waived his Miranda rights during questioning and initially blamed a man named Tim for the stabbing. However, he described clothing that matched what Stuard was seen wearing in the surveillance footage.

Elliott was then released while investigators gathered more evidence. A search of his vehicle uncovered a 12-inch knife with a sheath wrapped in black tape on the floor, where Stuard had reportedly been seated.

DNA testing by the Washington State Patrol crime lab revealed Sandru’s blood on the blade and Elliott’s fingerprints on the sheath. Stuard’s DNA was also found on Sandru’s hand and wrist.

Stuard was arrested on July 2. During an interview with detectives, he first claimed memory loss but later admitted to meeting with Elliott that morning for a robbery. After being shown photos, Stuard identified Elliott.

Contributing: KIRO 7

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