Quincy police identify 29-year-old man found dead in bag in suspect’s bedroom

Authorities have identified human remains that were discovered last week in a suspected killer’s bedroom in Quincy, Washington.

In a news release Monday, the Quincy Police Department identified the victim as 29-year-old Quincy resident Abel Vargas. An autopsy performed by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office on Friday found Vargas was shot once in the head.

Police said witnesses last saw Vargas alive on Aug. 8, after a friend dropped him off at the home of the suspect, 30-year-old Martin Diaz.

Diaz’s parents called police Aug. 11 after a “foul odor” led them to a bag in his room. Officers found Vargas’ body inside.

Diaz left the home before officers arrived. He was arrested the next day after a brief foot pursuit in Moses Lake. Diaz is being held in Grant County Jail, where he is classified a maximum security risk. He faces charges of first-degree murder and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, due to a prior theft conviction that resulted in gun rights being revoked.

Police said anyone with information about the death should contact Detective Brad Poldervart by calling dispatchers at (509) 762-1160, or the department at (509) 787-4718 or (509) 787-2222.

“Detectives have been in communication with Mr. Vargas’s family and will continue to help provide answers into his death,” the department said. “This is a horrible crime and our hearts go out to everyone involved and many prayers to Mr. Vargas’s family and friends as they deal with his passing.”