KENNEWICK, Wash. – UPDATE 10:05 p.m.
Detectives are still searching for the remains of Oscar Munos.
“We are in the process of using many different resources in an attempt to locate the remains,” said KPD Commander Isaac Merkl. “Whether or not we are able to locate those are dependent on many different factors.”
Court documents say the search started on Feb. 7 when Munos’ son filed a missing person’s report.
Five days later, KPD received a tip alleging that Munos was shot in his home by his roommate, Michael Golden, 23, and that his body was dumped by him and his mother, Kari Golden, 54.
Police would then use warrants to access Kari’s phone records and location data, which showed that Kari had been at the Yakima River by the Lewis Street Bridge at around 2 a.m. on Jan. 1, the day after Munos was believed to have gone missing.
A search warrant was obtained for police to search Michael’s and Kari’s homes. Police took both along with 33-year-old Coral Hernandez, Michael’s girlfriend, to the police station for interviews.
Court documents say that Michael initially blamed someone else for Munos’ death, however later admitted to shooting his roommate with a shotgun.
Kari initially invoked her right to an attorney, then later gave police information on what happened and the general area where Munos was buried.
Hernandez denied knowing that Munos was dead.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE
Three suspects are now in custody as Kennewick Police continue to investigate a possible homicide.
Oscar D. Munos, 38, of Kennewick disappeared under suspicious circumstances and was last seen alive on Dec. 31. 2023 and investigators believe he is dead, according to the KPD.
On Feb. 22, KPD Detectives developed probable cause for the arrest of three suspects in the disappearance and possible murder of Munoz.
One of the suspects, a 23-year-old Kennewick man was arrested on suspicion of 2nd Degree Murder. The other two suspects, a 54-year-old woman and a 33-year-old woman, both also of Kennewick, were arrested on suspicion of Rendering Criminal Assistance.
All three suspects were booked into the Benton County Jail on 72-hour investigative holds, according to the KPD.
The investigation is ongoing and Detectives are still trying to find Munos. Anyone with any information on this case or who may know where Munos or his remains are located should contact non-emergency dispatch at 509-628-0333.
