Second man charged with homicide 18 months after Bret Snow disappeared from Newman Lake

A second man has been charged with homicide in connection with the disappearance and suspected killing of Bret R. Snow of Spokane Valley.

Alvaro Guajardo, 52, was charged with first-degree murder last week. He already was being held in the Spokane County Jail on a state hold and felony drug possession charges.

Another suspect, Colby D. Vodder, 26, was arrested at a home in Post Falls last December. He and Guajardo are being held on $1 million bonds.

Snow was 32 when his mother reported him missing. He was last seen on Dec. 2, 2015, when a friend gave him a ride to a home in the 7800 block of North Starr Road in Newman Lake, according to court documents. His cellphone was pinging in that area until the early morning of Dec. 3, when it fell silent.

Family members told police they had heard rumors that Snow, who had a history of drug use, was killed by drug dealers, according to court documents. Investigators believe he may have been killed over a contentious drug deal.

In June 2016, detectives searched the Newman Lake property and found blood and hair in a backyard workshop. Tests showed the blood was Snow’s, according to court documents.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate Snow’s death and hopes to locate his remains. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Lyle Johnston at (509) 477-3191.