In a quiet Olympia, Washington neighborhood, a Saturday morning was shattered by the sounds of a disturbance and gunfire, leading to a tragic discovery. On February 7, 2026, police responded to a residence on 19th Court Northwest around 10:40 a.m. Inside and outside the home, they found three individuals who had been fatally shot. Among them was 79-year-old Hispanic female, Paula Victor-Lopez.
The other victims were identified as Paula's husband, 70-year-old Carlos Lopez-Estrada, and a
friend of Paula's, 66-year-old Michelle Courts. The Thurston County Coroner confirmed the identities of all three individuals. The initial investigation by the Olympia Police Department suggests the incident may have been a murder-suicide. Authorities have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The Washington State Patrol forensics team is assisting with the ongoing investigation to piece together the events that led to the three deaths. As of now, authorities have not released specific details about what transpired inside the home or a motive for the apparent murder-suicide. No arrests have been made, and there are no outstanding suspects in connection with the case. The community is left to mourn the loss of three of its members as they await further information from the investigation.
