UPDATED: Mother, Fiance of Randle Murder Suspects Arrested

The mother and fiance of two suspects charged in the death of a 16-year-old Randle boy were arrested this week and face felony charges after continued investigation into the homicide case. 

Kindra Adamson, 43, of Randle made her first appearance Wednesday in Lewis County Superior Court on two counts of first-degree rendering criminal assistance, a class B felony. 

“We believe she delayed the investigation,” Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer told The Chronicle. 

Adamson is the mother of suspects Benito S. Marquez, 16, and Jonathan R. Adamson, 21, have been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree rape, tampering with physical evidence and unlawful disposal of remains in the case of Ben Eastman, III, reported missing in Randle in late June. 

Emma L. Brown, 20, of Glenoma — identified by Meyer as Jonathan Adamson’s fiance, was also charged Wednesday with two counts of first-degree rendering criminal assistance. A $1 million warrant was been issued for her arrest. 

She turned herself in and was booked into the Lewis County Jail Wednesday night.

Kindra Adamson was arrested Tuesday evening, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. 

“Her arrest is based on her actions and knowledge of the crime after the homicide, but prior to the arrest of the two suspects,” according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. 

She was arrested in Yakima with the help of the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshal Service. 

“Our agency will continue to hold those involved in this horrific act responsible for their actions,” stated Sheriff Robert Snaza in a press release. “This includes anyone else who may be identified as part of this investigation in the future.”

On Wednesday, Meyer asked for $1 million bail for Kindra Adamson, citing the nature of the underlying case — the beating death of Ben Eastman. 

Defense attorney Rachael Tiller, representing Adamson at her first appearance, asked for lesser bail, citing her client’s lack of criminal history. 

She said her client denied the allegations. 

“Ms. Adamson would like the court to be aware she has been cooperative,” Tiller said. 

Through Tiller, Adamson said she allowed investigators on her property multiple times without a warrant, and submitted to questioning on at least 10 instances. 

She reported she has been living with family outside Lewis County. She was arrested in Yakima. 

Meyer responded, saying she wouldn’t have been charged if investigators believed she had truly been cooperative.

Toynbee imposed $100,000 bail and set her next hearing for July 19. 

Tiller also asked for Adamson to be allowed to continue to live with family outside Lewis County, but declined to say where, saying her client felt unsafe. Conditions of release from custody typically require suspects to stay in Western Washington.

Meyer again objected, saying, “In fact it was her actions that created a danger for the Eastman family.”

Toynbee ruled with Adamson. 

“It’s just geography,” he said. “I don’t see any harm in her being farther away from Chehalis than East Lewis County.”

According to court documents and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Eastman III was reported missing on June 27. The teen reportedly lived with his father in Randle, but hadn’t been seen since June 23.

On June 28, investigators found Eastman’s body in a shallow grave off Cispus Road on a property owned by Adamson’s and Marquez’s grandparents. 

According to court documents, “A family member at the property remembered seeing Benny and his older brother, Jonathan Adamson (Jonny), at the property on Sunday (June 24) covered in mud and stating they had buried a friend’s dog which had died.”

Jonathan Adamson and Marquez were arrested June 29 in Ellensburg, and according to court documents told investigators that they told their mother, Kindra Adamson, that they had killed Eastman and buried his body. Jonathan Adamson reportedly also told Brown, “and said she was upset but still loved him.”

The day before her sons were arrested, Kindra Adamson told investigators she believed Eastman was using drugs and would likely be home in a few days. She said Eastman “was like a son to her.”

On June 29, deputies interviewed Brown, who said she knew nothing about the case, according to court documents. 

“Further, Emma stated that she hadn’t talked to Jonny, Benny (Marquez), or Ben and made comments (that) she believed Ben’s family was setting this whole thing up,” according to court documents. 

However, authorities now believe that both women had knowledge of the homicide four days before making those statements in an effort to mislead the investigation.

When asked Wednesday if any other charges were pending, Meyer said the investigation is still ongoing.