Police: Suspect sought after woman killed, 2 sons hurt in attack at Washington state home

Police: Mom killed, 2 sons hurt in Wash. attack

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Authorities on Sunday were looking for a man who they allege killed a woman and left one of her sons on life support and another with serious injuries after attacking them at their eastern Washington home.

Spokane Valley police said the suspect, 39-year-old Jan R. Demeerleer, may be a former boyfriend or ex-husband of the woman.

The attack happened around 3 a.m. Sunday, police Sgt. Dave Reagan said. Officers arrived at the home to find the woman dead and two boys — ages 9 and 17 — hurt.

The 17-year-old boy told police he awoke to a man slashing his neck with a knife. The teen called 911, telling the dispatcher “his stepdad had attempted to cut his throat and had killed his mom,” Reagan said.

Reagan said the 9-year-old boy suffered a severe head injury. Both boys were taken to a Spokane hospital, where the 9-year-old was placed on life support.

Police said the 9-year-old has a twin brother, who was uninjured. The victims’ names were not released.

Reagan said Sunday afternoon that officers were awaiting a search warrant before entering Demeerleer’s home and remained on the lookout for his 2005 silver Saab.

“We’ve asked the community to keep their eye out,” Reagan said. Police warned Demeerleer is dangerous and may be armed.