Deceased Kamloops man accused in 1986 Washington state killing: police

20-May-2026

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Police in Washington state have closed a cold case after a 40-year investigation led them to a Kamloops, B.C., man.

The Wenatchee Police Department said it is believed that Henry Leland killed Carol Traicoff, 35, on or around May 14, 1986.

Leland was well-known in Kamloops, as he spent several years living on the city's streets before his death in 2007.

In a news release, Wenatchee police said their department responded to a report of a deceased person, who was identified as Traicoff. They determined her death a "homicidal assault."

Despite an extensive investigation at the time, the police department said the forensic testing available was not enough to solve the case.  "Since the initial investigation, numerous officers and detectives have reviewed the case, but little to no new information was developed and no arrests were made," the department said.

DNA evidence was sent for genetic analysis again in July 2024. On Feb. 24, 2025, the Washington State Patrol identified Leland as the suspect. His DNA was confirmed through comparison with that of his sister.

"We would like to thank Traicoff's family for not giving up and remaining determined to find Traicoff's killer," the Wenatchee Police Department said. Traicoff would have been 75 years old today, police said.