A man has been formally charged for the murder of the couple that were found stuffed inside a suitcase by teens in a TikTok video.
Michael Lee Dudley, 62, was the landlord of Jessica Lewis, 35, and Austin Wenner, 27, and has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
Mr Wenner and Ms Lewis' bodies were found inside bin bags and in suitcases that washed ashore in West Seattle on 19 June.
Advert
The medical examiner's office concluded the deaths most likely occurred on or around 9 June.
Family members explained how the pair had been in a relationship for over seven years and renting a room in the suspect's house since December 2019.
The bodies of the couple were discovered in a suitcase on Alki Beach, Seattle on 19 June by teenagers who captured the disturbing footage on TikTok. On realising they had discovered human remains, they called the police.
Advert
The viral video, which had been viewed more than 30 million times, was taken down from the social media site earlier this month.
Lewis' aunt Gina Jaschke launched a GoFundMe page in an attempt to find information on the couple's killer.
She wrote: "Jessica & Cash were good-hearted people. She leaves behind four beautiful children. Their parents and family are heartbroken beyond words. Along with countless friends and loved ones."
Dudley's bail has been set at $5 million (£3.7m) and he is expected to enter a plea at his arraignment on 8 September at the Kings County Courthouse.
Featured Image Credit: Facebook