John McCroskey Commentary: Sheriff Owes More Information on Aron Christensen Case

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For some seven months or so, there have been reports chronicling the tragic death of Aron Christensen and his dog Buzzo near Walupt Lake. It’s a very sad situation and while we think we know the who, we don’t know all the what, why or how it happened yet.

Sadly, we may never know all we’d like to.

But from the first article I read, there was something curious about this case. There were also things that are just the unfortunate result when there is a void of public information and trust. 

Other than Aron, one of the most unfortunate things in this case is the inference that there is somehow a coverup. Exactly why would that be the case? Nothing I’ve read, including what is the impetus for such an allegation, adds up to anything close to that.

But given my life experience, I’m not surprised there would be rumors like that. It’s not the first time and likely won’t be the last because it’s human nature.

In this case, the county seems to admit there wasn’t enough communication with the victim’s family during this. Apparently the sheriff’s office thought trying to address their questions wouldn’t work because they couldn’t satisfy them with what they felt they could share. It read like because they were worried they wouldn’t be able to answer their questions to preserve the case, consistent communication didn’t happen.

That may be true; however, since as far as we know they only have the one suspect and he’s admitted to what happened, it does feel like they could have done a better job. They said as much in the interview with The Chronicle. Perhaps had that happened earlier, it may not have satisfied the family (maybe nothing could have), but trying harder wouldn’t have hurt. After all, they suffered a loss difficult for most of us to imagine and want an answer to something so senseless, there isn’t likely to be one. 



It’s not my intention to pile on to the criticism already directed at authorities in this case, including by the prosecutor. His comments were very blunt and unflattering but he has the best view of the investigation and its problems. Nor is it my intention to toss any deputy sheriff or detective under the proverbial bus. The failures here are the responsibility of the sheriff and, to his credit, he’s said so. After reading his comments, though, I do believe he owes us a little more about what failed and why? Plus, what is his plan going forward to address anything he feels needs to be addressed into the future? Sadly, and while I wish it was not so, this is not likely to be the last tragic case needing his A game.

Since the case has been referred to the prosecutor for charges (and although it isn’t likely from his comments he’ll be charging what was requested), perhaps we could know more about the decisions made, the supervision that was used (or wasn’t) and how specifically we got here.

One of the things much has been made about is the time it took to get results from the testing necessary in a case like this. If your expectations are what you may see on a TV crime show, you are bound to be disappointed. Those agencies have their own labs and pathologists and can control the priority of their cases, and many large urban areas do too. But here, we are at the mercy of the state crime lab, contracted pathologists and other experts who have schedules priorities of their own. 

Aron’s family deserves justice and we’d all like to know more about what happened. 

I hope one day we will.

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John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.