SKAGIT COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Human remains found in Skagit County last October have been identified as a Marblemount man who is believed to have been murdered nearly a year ago.

The Skagit County Coroner’s Office confirmed on Thursday, Feb. 13 that the human remains were those of 45-year-old Justin Spaeth. Spaeth’s remains were found on Oct. 18, 2024, in the Rockport area of Marblemount.

Spaeth was initially reported missing on Feb. 28, 2024. Weeks later, the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office announced that it was investigating 32-year-old James Kelly of Concrete as a suspect in Spaeth’s murder.

The Skagit Valley Herald reports that Spaeth is believed to have been a witness to a theft that Kelly was previously involved in. Kelly was arrested roughly a month after Spaeth’s disappearance and is charged with first-degree murder. His next appearance in Skagit County Superior Court is scheduled for March 17.

The coroner’s office says the cause and manner of Spaeth’s death are currently under investigation and aren’t being released at this time.

Courtesy of Skagit County Sheriff’s Office
Courtesy of Skagit County Sheriff’s Office