Arrest made in Yakima Canyon double murder investigation
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- A break in the Yakima Canyon double murder case came Wednesday night when Yakima police and the Kittitas County Sheriff's Department arrested Troy Whalen in connection to the murders of Ryan Pederson and Michael Eby last year.
Troy Whalen is being held in the Yakima County Jail on two counts of first degree murder.
Investigators have also identified Jose Pineda as a person of interest. Police say he's wanted for questioning in connection to the two slayings.
"It's a sad scenario, unfortunately," said Yakima Police Department Captain Rod Light. "I mean, two lives were lost."
It seems one of the victims led to the suspect.
According to the arrest affidavit, police traced Michael Eby's phone records, which pointed detectives to Whalen's home.
But Yakima Police say it was actually a robbery investigation that brought detectives to Whalen's garage, while conducting a search warrant.
Once inside, investigators say they noticed evidence; blood stains, wires, things they say connected this garage to the Yakima Canyon murders.
Ryan Pederson and Michael Eby were found shot to death in a car near Roza Dam in December.
Pederson was found in the backseat, while Eby was found bound with rope and tape in the trunk.
"What do investigators believe the motive is for such a heinous crime like this?" KIMA asked.
"Obviously, there's evidence or some believe that probably had something possibly to do with drugs and money," said Light.
Police say Whalen told them Eby was killed in his garage.
Investigators say Whalen also told them he provided, "...items used to wrap Eby's body. And, helped dispose the body in the canyon."
But, police don't believe Whalen acted alone.
According to the affidavit, detectives are trying to track down Jose Pineda as a person of interest.
"The probability is certainly there," said Light. "That he is one that had some level of involvement, if not actually the gunman himself."
Investigators talked to Pineda earlier, but never arrested him.
Police say Eby was supposed to meet Pineda the night he disappeared.
Court records indicate during questioning, "[Pineda]...denied the meeting ever took place…stated he went directly home that evening. But, through his cell phone records, they saw he was in the same area as the Hathaway address."
To get all sides KIMA spoke with Whalen's brother who maintains his brother's innocence.
"He's never been in a fight his whole life. And he's never hurt anybody," said older brother Chuck Whalen.
While police look for Pineda, bail for Whalen has been set at $2 million.
We checked to see if Pineda has a criminal record and found out he has been arrested for drugs in the past.
There is already a warrant out for his arrest for failing to appear in court on a methamphetamine charge.
Troy Whalen is being held in the Yakima County Jail on two counts of first degree murder.
Investigators have also identified Jose Pineda as a person of interest. Police say he's wanted for questioning in connection to the two slayings.
"It's a sad scenario, unfortunately," said Yakima Police Department Captain Rod Light. "I mean, two lives were lost."
It seems one of the victims led to the suspect.
According to the arrest affidavit, police traced Michael Eby's phone records, which pointed detectives to Whalen's home.
But Yakima Police say it was actually a robbery investigation that brought detectives to Whalen's garage, while conducting a search warrant.
Once inside, investigators say they noticed evidence; blood stains, wires, things they say connected this garage to the Yakima Canyon murders.
Ryan Pederson and Michael Eby were found shot to death in a car near Roza Dam in December.
Pederson was found in the backseat, while Eby was found bound with rope and tape in the trunk.
"What do investigators believe the motive is for such a heinous crime like this?" KIMA asked.
"Obviously, there's evidence or some believe that probably had something possibly to do with drugs and money," said Light.
Police say Whalen told them Eby was killed in his garage.
Investigators say Whalen also told them he provided, "...items used to wrap Eby's body. And, helped dispose the body in the canyon."
But, police don't believe Whalen acted alone.
According to the affidavit, detectives are trying to track down Jose Pineda as a person of interest.
"The probability is certainly there," said Light. "That he is one that had some level of involvement, if not actually the gunman himself."
Investigators talked to Pineda earlier, but never arrested him.
Police say Eby was supposed to meet Pineda the night he disappeared.
Court records indicate during questioning, "[Pineda]...denied the meeting ever took place…stated he went directly home that evening. But, through his cell phone records, they saw he was in the same area as the Hathaway address."
To get all sides KIMA spoke with Whalen's brother who maintains his brother's innocence.
"He's never been in a fight his whole life. And he's never hurt anybody," said older brother Chuck Whalen.
While police look for Pineda, bail for Whalen has been set at $2 million.
We checked to see if Pineda has a criminal record and found out he has been arrested for drugs in the past.
There is already a warrant out for his arrest for failing to appear in court on a methamphetamine charge.
THE ONLY THING TROY IS GUILTY OF IS BEING A PUSHOVER. HE DOESNT HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN HIM. HES NOT CAPABLE OF THIS. HE COULDNT EVEN BURY HIS NEIGHBORS CAT I RAN OVER CUZ HE DOESNT LIKE DEATH. HE HAS NEVER BEEN IN EVEN 1 VERBAL CONFRONTATION. NO PHYSICAL FIGHT. THESE OTHER MONSTERS MADE THEMSELVES CUMFY AT A HOUSE WHERE THEY COULD DO WHATEVER THEY WANTED ANYTIME OF DAY/NIGHT. THINK ABOUT IT. 2 MONTHS AFTER THE MURDERS ALL THE BLOOD FROM THAT NIGHT IS STILL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR? THE MURDER WEAPONS CASINGS STILL IN THE BLOOD. HES WEAK NOT RETARDED. I FOUND OUT THEY QUESTIONED HIM 2 TIMES BEFORE HE WAS ARRESTED. WOULDNT YOU HAVE CLEANED IT IMMEDIATLY IF YOU WERE A MURDERER, ESPECIALLY WITH 2 WARNINGS THEY WERE ONTO YOU. BUT HIS GARAGE HADNT BEEN TOUCHED BECAUSE THOSE "FRIENDS" RAN IMMEDIATELY AND NEVER CAME BACK AND HE COULDNT GO IN THERE. LIKE I SAID, HE DOESNT HAVE IT IN HIM. PLUS HES OLDER AND IS A FRAIL DIABETIC. HE CANT GET OFF THE COUCH MOST DAYS. HE CERTAINLY ISNT LOADING ANYONE INTO A TRUNK OR HAULING DEAD BODIES AROUND. THESE YOUNG GANGSTERS BROUGHT THEM THERE SO HES INVOLVED. WHATS HE GONNA DO? SAY NO? CALL COPS? THEY WOULD SURELY KILL HIM. SURELY. HE KNEW IT. THERE WAS 3 LIFES LOST THAT DAY EBYS PEDERSONS AND WHALENS. I WISH EVERYONE KNEW THESE GUYS LIKE I DO. TROY IS A GENTLE GREAT GUY WHO GOT MIXED UP IN METH WHEN HE WAS TRYING TO NUMB THE PAIN OF HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER LEAVING HIM (SHE CHEATED ON HIM) HE IS A GREAT GUY AND A GOOD FRIEND AND MY HEART BLEEDS FOR HIM AND THE VICTIMS FAMILYS. FWD THIS TO ANYONE THAT CAN HELP HIM.