U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref | U.S. Department of Justice
Stevens County authorities have charged Charles Lloyd Tatom with first-degree murder for the deaths of Marlene Emerson and her daughter, Cassie, which occurred 27 years ago. The announcement was made by Stevens County Prosecuting Attorney Erika George and U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref. The charges follow a lengthy investigation that recently saw new DNA tests completed in 2024.
Tatom is set to appear in Stevens County Superior Court, where he faces allegations related to events on June 27, 1997. On that date, firefighters responded to a mobile home fire in Colville, Washington. After extinguishing the blaze, they discovered Marlene Emerson's remains inside the trailer. An autopsy revealed knife cuts on her neck and concluded her death was a homicide. Fire investigators determined gasoline had been used to start the fire.
Cassie Emerson was initially presumed abducted until her body was found a month later in a wooded area near Orin Rice Road. Forensic analysis showed knife marks on her neck as well.
The investigation spanned decades, during which law enforcement interviewed numerous individuals connected to the case or living near the crime scene at the time of the murders. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion followed by a loud vehicle leaving just before 4:00 am on the day of the fire.
Attention turned to Charles Tatom when investigators focused on a Chevy Blazer he allegedly drove at that time. The vehicle had an altered exhaust system that amplified its engine noise. Inside, forensic experts found blood stains linked to Cassie through DNA testing and other samples connecting both Cassie and Tatom to the vehicle.
Witnesses also claimed Tatom was involved with individuals from an outlaw motorcycle club community in Colville and mentioned seeing him with gasoline cans prior to the fire. Additional reports described Tatom's singed hair and burn injury upon his return after the incident.
If convicted of first-degree aggravated murder, Tatom could face life imprisonment.
Stevens County Prosecuting Attorney Erika George expressed gratitude for law enforcement's dedication over two decades: "I am grateful for the law enforcement agents and officers who have dedicated more than two decades of their careers to identifying those responsible for Marlene and Cassie's murders."
U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref highlighted collaboration among various agencies: "One of my top priorities as U.S. Attorney has been to strengthen our relationship with state, local, and Tribal law enforcement."
The investigation involved multiple agencies including Stevens County Sheriff's Office, Washington State Patrol, ATF, FBI along with federal prosecutors Earl Hicks and Timothy Ohms assisting throughout this process while Ohms served additionally as Special Stevens County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney recently.
A probable cause statement regarding these charges can be accessed online; however it should be noted all defendants remain innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt within court proceedings.