In the quiet town of Shelton, Washington, a tragedy unfolded on January 24, 2017, claiming the life of 34-year-old Kenneth E. Koonrad, a White / Caucasian male from the nearby community of Montesano. On that Tuesday, Koonrad and a woman named Tara M. Abernathy, 32, were discovered deceased inside her Shelton residence, both having suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
The Mason County Coroner later confirmed that Koonrad died from a single gunshot to the chest, while Abernathy succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head; both deaths were officially ruled as homicides. Remembered as a kind, generous, and loving person, Koonrad was a devoted single father to his 13-year-old son, and his life revolved around him.
The investigation swiftly zeroed in on a primary suspect: 33-year-old Jared Abernathy, the ex-husband of Tara Abernathy. Friends of Koonrad indicated that he and Tara had only recently met, just a few weeks prior to the incident. Authorities learned that Jared Abernathy had reportedly made threats towards his ex-wife following their divorce in 2015. He was considered the sole suspect in the double homicide. A multi-agency manhunt for the armed and dangerous suspect was launched, tracking him to a Motel 6 in Pendleton, Oregon.
The pursuit of Jared Abernathy culminated in a tense, hours-long standoff with law enforcement who had surrounded the motel. After approximately five to six hours of negotiations, officers heard a muffled gunshot from inside the suspect's room. Upon entering, they found Jared Abernathy deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, bringing a grim end to the search on January 25, 2017. In the wake of the devastating loss, around 200 people from the Montesano community gathered for a candlelight vigil, sharing memories and honoring the man described as a hero and a protector who would do anything for others.
