Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) An increased reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of whoever killed Nicole Pietz (left). Pietz is show with her husband, David, at their wedding.   ADVERTISEMENT   $35,000 offered for information The family of Nicole Pietz is offering a $35,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the Lynnwood woman's death. Pietz, 32, was reported missing from her condominium Jan. 29, 2006. Her body was found about a week later in a wooded area in Burien. Her 2003 Volkswagen Jetta was discovered Feb. 22, 2006, in a parking lot in the University District in Seattle. Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound also is offering $1,000 reward. Anyone with information is asked to call 800-CRIME-13 (274-6313) or the sheriff's tip line at 206-296-3311.   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Friday, May 16, 2008 Reward increased in 2006 killing The family of Nicole Pietz hopes the money entices someone to provide information that leads to her killer. By Diana Hefley Herald Writer LYNNWOOD -- Gael Schneider worries about other people's daughters. During the past two years, she has been mourning the death of her own daughter, Nicole Pietz. She also prays that other young women won't share her daughter's fate and cross paths with a killer. Pietz, 32, was reported missing from her Lynnwood condominium Jan. 29, 2006. Her body was found about a week later in a wooded area in Burien. She had been strangled. "Her killer is out there and he can do it again. I don't want another family to go through this," Schneider said. "I don't want another girl to be killed." Schneider and her husband announced on Thursday that they have increased the reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. They are now offering $35,000 and Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound has put up a $1,000 reward. Schneider hopes the reward will motivate someone to step forward. "Too bad their conscience isn't doing it," Schneider said. She and her husband hired a private investigator and Schneider calls detectives about once a week to ask what has been done to advance the investigation. King County sheriff's detectives have refused to disclose if there is a suspect in the case. They often receive tips and are actively investigating the homicide, King County Sgt. John Urquhart said. David Pietz reported his wife missing after she failed to show up for dinner with friends and family the night before. Her friends and family launched an extensive search for the woman before her body was discovered. Pietz's 2003 Volkswagen Jetta was found abandoned Feb. 22, 2006, in a parking lot near the University District. A parking ticket left on the windshield was dated Feb. 10. Detectives searched the car for evidence. They also seized computers from Pietz's office in Bothell and from the condominium she shared with her husband. Investigators need the public's help in identifying the killer, Urquhart said. They need someone to talk to them about what happened, and although the information might not seem like much on the surface, it could be the key to solving the case, he said. "Unless someone finds Jesus and steps forward and confesses, it's going to take someone picking up the phone and telling us what they know," he said. Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.

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