In the quiet, rural community of La Center, Washington, a tragedy unfolded that left neighbors in shock and a family grieving an irreparable loss. On March 28, 2014, 70-year-old Fay Marie Allen, a female, was killed in her home. Evidence discovered at the scene indicated that she was the victim of a murder-suicide perpetrated by her husband, 71-year-old Milton "Wayne" Allen.
For several days, family members had been unable to reach Fay.
A concerned relative went to their residence in the Fargher Lake area and found their cars in the driveway but received no answer at the door. This prompted a call to 911, and responding sheriff's deputies made the grim discovery. Inside the home, they found the bodies of both Fay and her husband in a bedroom. The investigation concluded that Wayne Allen had shot and killed his wife before turning the weapon on himself.
Further investigation into the timeline of events revealed a potentially missed opportunity to intervene. On the day the incident is believed to have occurred, a 911 hang-up call was made from the Allen's residence. A deputy was dispatched to the home to check on the occupants, but for reasons that prompted an internal investigation, the call was canceled before the deputy arrived. There had been no prior history of calls to the sheriff's office from their address. The Clark County Sheriff's Office placed the deputy involved on administrative leave pending the outcome of their internal review into the handling of the canceled 911 call. No other suspects were ever considered in the death of Fay Marie Allen.
