In the autumn of 2015, the life of 31-year-old Andrew Spencer of Granite Falls, Washington, came to a violent and tragic end. The last time his girlfriend heard from the male victim was on November 3, 2015, through a text message that read, 'I love you so much baby.' After that, he vanished, leaving his loved ones in a state of growing concern. The initial sign that something was terribly wrong was the discovery of his car off the Mountain Loop Highway; its windows were smashed out and the tires were missing.
A search by police and Spencer's family led to a horrifying discovery. More than a week after he was last seen, his remains were found shot, burned, and buried in a fire pit on a property in Granite Falls. The investigation quickly pointed to George Hatt Jr., a 49-year-old man who had been staying on the property. Witnesses reported that Hatt had recently argued with Spencer, accusing him of burglarizing his home and stealing guitars and jewelry.
Following the discovery of the body, authorities began a manhunt for Hatt, who was believed to have fled to California with his girlfriend. Hatt was already wanted in California for a parole violation and was considered armed and dangerous. However, his time on the run was short-lived. He was located and arrested in Auburn, Washington.
During the trial, the gruesome details of the crime were revealed. Prosecutors argued that Hatt had planned the murder for months in retaliation for the burglary. After shooting Spencer in the head, Hatt attempted to dispose of the body by burning it in a fire pit for several days and using chemicals to further conceal the evidence. Hatt claimed he acted in self-defense, alleging that Spencer had assaulted another man and that he believed Spencer was armed. However, the jury did not accept his account.
In May 2017, George Hatt Jr. was convicted of first-degree murder with a firearm, unlawful gun possession, and tampering with physical evidence. Two months later, a judge sentenced him to nearly 36 years in prison, the maximum sentence allowed by law, citing the cold and calculated nature of his actions and his lack of remorse. The sentence brought a measure of closure to Andrew Spencer's grieving family, including his three children.
