In the remote, wooded expanse of Capitol State Forest in rural Thurston County, Washington, a day in late April took a tragic turn for 62-year-old Cathleen Elise Kochheiser. On April 24, 2025, the quiet of the forest was shattered by the sound of a gunshot that would ultimately claim the life of the Olympia woman.
Emergency responders were contacted around 6:30 p.m. regarding a woman with a gunshot wound to her lower chest.
Cathleen, a White female, was alive when the initial call for help was made. However, the remote location within the forest presented a significant challenge: poor cellphone service. The individual who was with Cathleen had to drive her to a different area simply to be able to contact 911 for assistance. By the time deputies and firefighters reached them, it was too late. Cathleen succumbed to her injury before she could be airlifted to a hospital for the critical care she needed.
The Thurston County Sheriff's Office immediately began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, treating her death as suspicious. Investigators noted that the person who was with Cathleen at the time of the incident was somewhat cooperative with their inquiries, though not fully. This individual has not been publicly identified.
As of the latest available information, no arrests have been made in connection with Cathleen Kochheiser's death, and no suspects have been publicly named. The investigation remains active as authorities continue to piece together the events of that fatal evening in the forest. The community has been asked to come forward with any information that might aid detectives in understanding what happened to Cathleen.
