Former Fire Chief Receives 25-Year Sentence for Wife's Murder
A former fire chief has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for strangling his wife to death so he could pursue a relationship with his mistress, creating a bitter family rift between his children. Kevin West, now 52, was convicted of killing his wife, hospital clerk Marcelle 'Marcy' West, in their $723,000 home in Washington state on January 8, 2024.
Medical Evidence and Contradictory Claims
A medical examiner determined that Marcy, aged 47, died from asphyxiation due to blunt neck trauma, officially ruling her death a homicide. West had claimed his wife of 22 years died from a seizure that caused her entire body to vibrate, but forensic evidence contradicted this account.
Family Division and Emotional Courtroom Testimony
The murder has deeply divided the West family. Megan West, 20, the younger of the killer's two children, testified in court that her father expected the family to accept his mistress, Cynthia Ward, as a replacement for her mother. According to a court reporter with local outlet OregonLive, Megan stated, 'My father's actions not only took my mom's life, they took my future with her - moments, memories and milestones that will never exist… Then you had the nerve to look me in the eyes and ask if I was relieved she was dead.' Her emotional statement drew applause from half the courtroom before the judge intervened.
In stark contrast, Ted West, 22, described his father as 'kind and selfless,' highlighting how he worked long hours to support his children's activities. Ted told the judge he still believed in his father's innocence, even after the jury's guilty verdict. Prosecutors noted that Ted had previously suggested a 'vigorous massage' he gave his mother might explain her injuries, contradicting earlier statements to detectives about using only a light touch.
Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
Clark County Superior Court Judge Robert Lewis imposed a sentence of 300 months, equivalent to 25 years, stating that the evidence strongly supported the jury's finding that West deliberately killed his wife. West addressed the court, apologizing for his affair but insisting, 'that was my only wrongdoing,' maintaining his innocence as he was led away.
Investigation Details and Digital Evidence
On the night of Marcy's death, West called 911 just before 4:30 AM on January 8, 2024, reporting that Marcy was having a seizure and had stopped breathing. First responders, including some of West's colleagues from the Camas-Washougal Fire Department, attempted to save her, but she was pronounced dead at 5:11 AM.
West told investigators they had enjoyed a normal evening of takeout food, movies, and intimacy before going to bed. However, smartphone and health-app data contradicted his claim of sleeping through the night, showing hours of movement resembling pacing in the lead-up to the 911 call.
Autopsy Findings and Motive
After initial findings were inconclusive and Marcy's body was released to a funeral home, investigators learned West had been seen bowling with another woman. Authorities retrieved the body, and a second autopsy revealed bloody tissue in the throat and neck injuries consistent with strangulation. The cause of death was officially ruled asphyxia due to blunt neck trauma, with the manner classified as homicide.
Prosecutors argued that West had become obsessed with Cynthia Ward, a woman he first met in 2004 when she volunteered with the fire department and reconnected with in 2023. Evidence included texts and letters in which West vowed '2024 will be our year,' along with messages indicating plans to move out on January 8 and finalize divorce papers the following day, as reported by Court TV.
Financial Stress and Behavioral Evidence
Financial stress compounded the motive. Despite earning approximately $160,000 annually, the couple carried a heavy mortgage and debts. West had calculated he could end up paying thousands in monthly alimony if he divorced. Several friends and coworkers who arrived after the 911 call testified they were stunned by West's demeanor in the aftermath, noting he took down photos, asked about discarding Marcy's belongings, and expressed relief.
Colleagues testified that he stormed out of work after calculating potential alimony payments. West's defense attorneys argued Marcy died from medical complications, citing headaches and the massage performed by her son the night before her death, and suggested possible missteps by first responders. The jury rejected these theories after reviewing forensic findings and digital evidence, returning guilty verdicts on first- and second-degree murder charges in January 2026.
Daughter's Final Words
Megan West spoke about the close bond she shared with her mother, describing how her physical and mental health deteriorated after the killing. She recounted that her father kept his distance only to call her later, drunk, to apologize without specifying what he was sorry for. 'You had the audacity to call me when you were drunk, apologizing and dumping your emotions like I was your parent,' Megan said. 'You never said what you were sorry for, but in that moment, I knew you were guilty.'
