Elderly woman killed in her Pasco home. The suspect already is in jail — for another murder
Friends and neighbors described Bonnie Ross as a kind woman.
She enjoyed reading, spending time with neighborhood children and was a dedicated Christian.
The 82-year-old woman was found dead Friday, two days after her suspected killer was jailed on suspicion of murdering a homeless man near downtown Pasco.
Police did not release information about her murder until Tuesday.
Hector Orozco Jr., 42, is under investigation for stabbing her, possibly with the intent of stealing her car.
Police are still looking into what connected the career criminal to the woman who lived in a small cluster of homes on West Washington Street.
Orozco was arrested Feb. 14 at the Rodeway Inn in Pasco in connection to the stabbing of Demetrius A. Graves earlier in the day. Orozco was driving Ross’ 1992 Toyota Corolla when he arrived at the motel.
Officers towed the car away, searched it and tried to reach Ross at her home but didn’t get an answer, they said.
It’s unclear how they tried to contact her and why it took two days to find her.
Neighbors began wondering where she was and called her son on Friday.
He asked neighbors to use a spare key to go inside, where they found her dead.
Franklin County Coroner Dan Blasdel said Ross was stabbed several times.
Neighbor Martin Hinojosa lived next to Ross for 18 years. He said she was almost like family.
His grandchildren often visited her, and she would come outside and talk with him when he was in the yard.
“I feel bad,” he said. “She was a good person. ... Something like that happens and I think, ‘Why?’”
Orozco is charged with second-degree murder for stabbing Graves.
He remains held in Franklin County jail on $500,000 bail.
Prosecutors are waiting for police reports on Ross’ death before adding charges.
Orozco is accused of attacking Graves and another man as they were leaving a shed behind a home on Bonneville Street. Shegow Gagow, 34, was able to escape, and call police.
Orozco had been out of jail one day when he allegedly attacked the men. He had a history of assault and drug and alcohol problems.
Cameron Probert: 509-582-1402, @cameroncprobert
This story was originally published February 20, 2018 at 1:15 PM with the headline "Elderly woman killed in her Pasco home. The suspect already is in jail — for another murder."