Coroner rules in death of accused Pasco rapist found in submerged car
A 46-year-old child rape suspect drowned after his silver SUV drove into the Columbia River last week.
Jason P. Watts’s death has been ruled a suspected suicide, Franklin County Coroner Curtis McGary said following an autopsy Monday morning.
McGary said there were no signs Watts was injured before the car was found underwater on Friday.
Pasco police officials previously said they are investigating the death the same way they would a homicide to make sure there was no foul play. They’ve since said he died by suicide.
Watts was out of custody on $200,000 bail while he faced charges of first-, second- and third-degree child molestation, as well as third-degree child rape. He was accused of abusing the victim for years.
Three years after the allegations were raised, prosecutors and his defense attorney gave opening statements on Thursday, and witnesses started testifying.
Watts didn’t show up Friday morning for the second day of testimony, Prosecutor Shawn Sant confirmed.
A fisherman spotted the silver SUV in the river at the Chiawana Park boat launch off Road 88 about 8 a.m. on Friday, Pasco police Capt. Bill Parramore said Friday.
Columbia Basin Dive Rescue divers were called in, and they confirmed a body was inside. The person was later identified as Watts.
This story was originally published March 2, 2026 at 5:54 PM.