UPDATE 2 – April 16, 2019 4:45 p.m.: The body of the 38-year old man who was a victim of a car-jacking Monday night has been found in Kent, and police are seeking the public’s help finding two suspects.

Police say that just after 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning (April 16), they responded to the Cascade Apartments, where they located the victim’s truck and a deceased male believed to be 38-year old Jered Sperling within it.

“We are absolutely sickened by this senseless tragedy. Our heart goes out to Jered’s wife and family,” Detective Robinson said. “Our primary focus now is to locate the suspect, take him into custody, and ensure justice is served.”

Investigators are seeking the public’s help with identifying the involved persons of interest, seen below:

Investigators are still processing the scene and utilizing any and all available resources in an effort to locate and get the suspect into custody.

Kent Police are asking anyone with information to call 911, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or the Kent Police tip line 253-856-5808.

Mayor Dana Ralph released the following statement:

“I am sad to report that we’ve had a carjacking turn into a homicide on Kent’s East Hill. I’d like to thank the Kent Police Department as they continue to work to bring the suspects to justice. My heart breaks for the victim of this crime, his wife, as well as his family and friends. I will continue to look for innovative ways to strengthen our investment in public safety. Together, we will make sure that Kent is a safe and welcoming place for everybody.”

VIDEO FROM SCENE
Starting around the :20-second mark in the video below you can see the white 2013 GMC Sierra pickup truck that belonged to Jered Sperling. It has a tent over the truck bed, where Sperling’s body was reportedly found:

PREVIOUSLY:

Kent Police are urgently seeking the public’s help regarding a car-jacking incident that happened Monday night.

Police say that on Monday, April 15, 2019, just after 8 p.m., Kent Police officers responded to the report of a car-jacking at the East Hill Storage facility located at 10625 SE 240th Street (map below).

The suspect entered the vehicle as it was stopped at the gate at the storage facility. The suspect fled the scene with the owner still within the truck. The Kent Police Department is seeking any information to find the victim, his truck, and the suspect involved in this violent crime.

    • The Washington State license plate number of the truck is C57032L.
    • It is a white 2013 GMC Sierra pickup truck.
    • The owner of the truck is Jered Sperling. He is a white male, 38 years old, 5’10” tall and 180lbs (photo below).

Investigators also released the following photos:

Investigators are utilizing all available resources to will assist in this investigation.

Kent Police are asking anyone with information to call 911, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or the Kent Police tip line 253-856-5808.

Scott Schaefer

Founder/Publisher/Editor. Three-time National Emmy Award winning Writer (“Bill Nye the Science Guy”), Director, Producer, Journalist and more...