A man currently incarcerated in New Mexico has been charged in connection with a homicide that occurred in Seattle in 2015. On February 14, 2015, friends discovered Thomas Hess lying on the floor of his First Ave. apartment, covered with blankets. When authorities arrived, they observed that Hess’ hands were bound behind his back with shoelaces, and he had a distinct smell of oven cleaner.
A can of Easy-Off oven cleaner was located near his feet, according to court documents. The medical examiner identified blunt force trauma to Hess’ face, neck, and torso, which included multiple broken bones. The cause of death was determined to be probable mechanical asphyxia, indicating that some form of physical force obstructed his ability to breathe. His death was ruled a homicide.
In April 2016, DNA results from the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab revealed a sample taken from Hess’ fingernails contained both Hess’ DNA and that of another individual: Clay Fosse, who was 26 at the time. While Fosse has an extensive criminal history outside of Washington, he has no prior convictions in the state. However, court documents indicate he had three encounters with law enforcement shortly after the murder, related to alleged assault and criminal trespass, though no charges were filed in those instances…