In a significant breakthrough for a decade-old investigation, a man already serving a prison sentence has been charged with the murder of a Seattle resident found dead in his apartment in 2015.
A Gruesome Valentine's Day Discovery
The case began on February 14, 2015, when Thomas Hess was discovered deceased on the floor of his Seattle apartment. The scene was particularly disturbing; Hess was found with his hands tied behind his back using shoelaces and his body was covered with blankets. A can of Easy-Off oven cleaner was located nearby.
A medical examiner later ruled the death a homicide, concluding that Hess had suffered blunt force injuries to his face, neck, and torso. The official cause of death was determined to be probable mechanical asphyxia.
The DNA Link That Cracked the Case
For years, the investigation remained a cold case. A crucial turn came in 2016 when evidence submitted to the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab revealed that DNA had been recovered from the shoelaces used to bind Hess and from the back of the victim's neck.
It was not until earlier this year that the crime lab successfully identified the DNA profile. The genetic material was matched to Clay Fosse, a 37-year-old man with a significant criminal history. This week, prosecutors formally charged Fosse with second-degree murder in connection with Hess's death.
According to court documents, Fosse is alleged to have "bound, severely beaten, and strangled the victim to death." The filings further state that he then "appears to have attempted to conceal his presence by dousing the victim in oven cleaner and covering his body."
A Defendant with No Local Ties and a High Bail
Prosecutors noted in court documents that Clay Fosse does not appear to have any substantial connections to the Seattle area, save for a few months in 2015 when police records place him in the city. The relationship between Fosse and Hess remains unclear.
Currently, Fosse is serving time in a New Mexico prison for convictions on larceny and aggravated battery. His extensive criminal record also includes past sentences for false imprisonment, theft, and kidnapping.
Given the violent nature of the alleged crime and his lack of ties to Washington State, prosecutors successfully argued for a $5 million bail, stating he would pose a clear danger to the community. Fosse is scheduled for arraignment on November 19. The reason for the nine-year gap between the DNA discovery and the formal charges remains unexplained.
