In the quiet community of Bremerton, Washington, the life of 43-year-old John Careaga, a White male, came to a tragic and violent end in January 2017. The horrifying events began to unfold on January 27th, a day that would forever be seared into the memory of the local community. On that day, firefighters were called to the Careaga family home, where they discovered a raging fire.
Inside, they found the bodies of John's wife, Christale Careaga, and two teenage boys, Hunter Schaap and Johnathon Higgins. All three had been shot and killed before the fire was set.
The initial horror of the discovery was compounded when authorities realized that John Careaga was missing. A search was launched, but it wasn't until two days later, on January 29th, that his body was found. His remains were discovered inside his burned-out pickup truck on a remote tree farm in Mason County. Like his family, he had been shot to death. The calculated and brutal nature of the killings sent a shockwave of fear and disbelief through Kitsap County.
The investigation into the quadruple homicide was extensive, involving local law enforcement and the FBI. Investigators soon pieced together a narrative of a dispute over drugs and money. It was revealed that John Careaga was involved in selling cocaine, and a disagreement with associates had turned deadly. The primary suspects were identified as Danie Kelly Jr., Robert Watson, and Johnny Watson. Authorities stated that at least two of the men were associated with the Bandidos Motorcycle Club. The motive appeared to be a financial dispute related to drug trafficking.
After a years-long investigation, the three suspects were arrested in June 2022. They were each charged with multiple felonies, including aggravated murder, arson, and burglary. In April 2024, a jury found Danie Kelly Jr., Robert Watson, and Johnny Watson guilty on all counts. The following month, they were each sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, bringing a close to a case that had haunted the community for over five years.
