In the early hours of October 3, 2023, a tragic event unfolded in a residence just outside the Poulsbo, Washington city limits, culminating in the death of 38-year-old Brandon Egeler, a White/Caucasian male from Bremerton. The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a gunshot injury in the 3100 block of Lincoln Road Northeast and discovered Egeler unresponsive. Despite life-saving efforts by deputies until medics arrived, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The Kitsap County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed that Egeler's death was a homicide caused by a single gunshot wound to the neck.
The investigation into the death of Brandon Egeler quickly led to the identification of two suspects: 29-year-old Caleb R. Sloan and 26-year-old Aksel J. Strom. The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office issued felony arrest warrants for both men for second-degree murder and first-degree burglary. Authorities believed that the suspects knew the victim and considered them armed and dangerous, prompting an extensive manhunt. Investigators also suspected that the fugitives were receiving assistance from others to avoid capture.
After weeks of searching, the first suspect, Aksel Strom, was apprehended on October 27, 2023, in Pacific County following two vehicle pursuits by sheriff's deputies. The second suspect, Caleb Sloan, remained at large for several more weeks. His run from the law came to a dramatic end on December 9, 2023. After being spotted in a stolen vehicle by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, a chase ensued that crossed into Kitsap County, where he was ultimately captured. Both men, who have extensive criminal records, were booked into Kitsap County Jail. Sloan faced additional charges of possession of a stolen vehicle and attempting to elude a police vehicle. During the investigation, law enforcement also sought Breanna Hagen for questioning in connection with the murder and arrested another individual for rendering criminal assistance to one of the suspects.
