Man with prior murder conviction charged in Lake Stevens killing

In a chilling case from Lake Stevens, Washington, Mark Downey, a 56-year-old man with a violent criminal history, has been charged with the murder of Katie McQueen, a 37-year-old resident of Mariposa, California. McQueen's body was found concealed under brush on August 20, 2024, prompting a police investigation that connected Downey to the crime through DNA evidence obtained from her wrist. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office noted significant trauma to McQueen's neck but could not establish the precise cause of death due to decomposition. Downey's conflicting accounts of the events leading to McQueen's death raised suspicions, including a claim that he witnessed a man stab her while giving her a ride. Ultimately, Downey confessed to stabbing McQueen in the throat after she ridiculed his inability to perform sexually.

With a prior murder conviction for which he served nearly 18 years, Downey now faces a lengthy prison sentence of up to 28 years if convicted. This case has reignited discussions about the risks posed by repeat offenders in the community.