SEATTLE – More human remains were discovered Friday near the scene where the remains of Renton mother Ingrid Lyne were found last weekend in Seattle. Police say they are investigating it as a possible connection to the Lyne murder.
Seattle police say the discovery was made at 20th Avenue E. and E. Marion Street, about 1.5 blocks from where Lyne’s remains were found inside a recycling bin in Seattle’s Central District last Saturday.
John Charlton, 37, is charged with first-degree murder. He’s also charged with stealing Lyne’s car, which was found in downtown Seattle Monday night. Prosecutors say Charlton killed Lyne in her Renton home and then drove her body to Seattle.
If convicted, Charlton could face at least 21 to 28 years in prison.
Friends of Lyne said she had planned to go on a date to a Mariners baseball game Friday night with someone she met online. Police were alerted after she wasn't home the next day when her ex-husband dropped off their children. The ex-husband alerted the victim's mother, who entered the home and found the victim's purse, phone, and computers. The victim's mother found Charlton's phone number in her daughter's cell phone records.
According to court documents, Charlton told police he knew Lyne and that they had been dating for about a month. He said he and Lyne returned to her home after attending the Mariners game Friday night. Charlton claimed he had been "so intoxicated" that "he could not recall how he and Lyne returned to her residence." He also said, "he believed they had sex and said Lyne was acting 'weird,' but could not or would not provide any further details."
He added that he was "unsure' how he left Lyne's residence, claiming that he assumed she must have driven him back to Seattle, where, he claimed, he slept on the sidewalk."
During the police interview, Charlton denied having any injuries, but detectives saw abrasions on his forehead, an injury to his lip and chin. He also had scratches on his chest and left hand.
Charlton remains in jail with bail set at $2 million. Arraignment is set for April 27.
