Clackamas County, OR. — A 66-year-old Woodland man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a Vancouver woman whose body was discovered earlier this month on state forest land in eastern Clark County.
On Feb. 14, deputies with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a deceased female located near DNR-1100 Road. Detectives from the agency’s Major Crimes Unit, working with the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office, determined the death was suspicious. Authorities have not released specific details about the cause of death.
Two days later, on Feb. 16, a family member reported 34-year-old Tori Garza missing. Garza, who previously went by the name Victoria Mills, was last known to be staying at a residence in the 9400 block of Northwest 17th Avenue in Vancouver. She had not been heard from since Feb. 9.
Detectives later confirmed the woman found in the forest was Garza. A search warrant executed at the Vancouver residence on Feb. 16 did not uncover evidence of foul play, according to investigators.
As part of the investigation, detectives reviewed Garza’s recent activities, including cell phone records and an online escort advertisement posted Feb. 9. Investigators tracked her phone’s movements and obtained surveillance video from private parties. The footage was analyzed alongside Automatic License Plate Reader data collected from patrol vehicles.
Authorities identified a suspect vehicle belonging to Andrew Brunette, 66, of Woodland.
On Feb. 24, sheriff’s detectives, assisted by Lower Columbia SWAT and the Woodland Police Department, served a search warrant at Brunette’s residence in the 200 block of Marty Loop. Brunette was taken into custody without incident.
Investigators reported finding evidence of foul play at the home. Brunette was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on charges of first-degree murder, patronizing a prostitute, and unlawful disposal of human remains.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the activities of Tori Garza or Andrew Brunette is asked to contact the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 564-397-2847.
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