In the quiet, snowy landscape of Chesaw, Washington, a grim discovery brought a tragic end to the search for a beloved elderly couple. David Covey, an 80-year-old Caucasian male, and his wife, Geralyn, were found deceased on their rural property on February 16, 2022. The couple, who resided in Omak, had driven to their land off Nealey Road on February 13th, a trip they made to investigate unusual activity on their power bill.
When they failed to return or make contact with family, concern grew, prompting a welfare check request on February 15th.
The initial search for the Coveys began after their truck was discovered abandoned at the gate of their property on the evening of February 13th. When family and deputies were unable to locate the couple on the 15th, a larger search effort was launched the following day involving the Okanogan County Search and Rescue team, who utilized drones and off-road vehicles to scour the remote area. The search culminated in the heartbreaking discovery of David and Geralyn's bodies. The nature of the scene immediately indicated foul play, and the Okanogan County Sheriff's Office launched a double homicide investigation.
During the search, a man was seen on the property who fled from deputies on two separate occasions. This individual was quickly identified as a person of interest. Investigators found some of the Coveys' personal belongings, including two of their dogs, in a nearby cabin from which the man was seen running. The investigation soon focused on Dylan J. Harrington, a 25-year-old man from Chesaw, who was believed to have been squatting on a neighboring property and stealing from the Coveys. An autopsy confirmed that both David and Geralyn had been shot, and a warrant was issued for Harrington's arrest on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of unauthorized removal or concealment of bodies.
A multi-year manhunt for Dylan Harrington ensued, with law enforcement agencies considering him armed and dangerous. The case garnered significant media attention, and a reward was offered for information leading to his capture. The search for Harrington came to an unexpected end in July 2025, when skeletal remains found in Spokane were positively identified as his. While the discovery brought a close to the extensive search for the man suspected of ending the lives of David and Geralyn Covey, for their family, questions about the circumstances surrounding the tragic events on that cold February day remained.
