Accident – Death – Obituary News :
The Shocking Discovery of a Fugitive’s Secret Life
A suspect wanted on rape charges in Kitsap County was presumed dead 15 years ago after jumping from the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. However, a recent discovery has revealed that the wanted fugitive had been living in a Los Angeles apartment until his death in February.
The Mysterious Disappearance
In 2009, a man identified as Christian Robert Basham was seen walking towards the midspan of the Tacoma Narrows bridge. Basham had been arrested by Bremerton police in 2008 and charged with second-degree child rape. He skipped his court appearance after posting bail and faced a minimum of six and a half years in prison if convicted.
Witnesses reported that Basham jumped “without hesitation” over the railing, falling 240 feet into the water. His car was found on the Gig Harbor side of the bridge with a suicide note inside. Despite extensive search efforts, his body was never recovered.
The Unexpected Revelation
Fast forward to February 26, 2024, when Tommy Cuellar made a shocking discovery in his Los Angeles apartment complex. His neighbour, Mark Clemens, was found dead in his apartment. The Los Angeles County medical examiner later identified Clemens as Christian Basham, the fugitive who had been presumed dead for 15 years.
Cuellar and his neighbour were unaware of Clemens’ true identity, despite him being a trusted maintenance man with access to their apartments. The cause of Basham’s death is still under investigation, with a determination expected in the coming months.
The Unravelling of a Decades-Old Mystery
Following the revelation, the Bremerton Police Department confirmed that the Basham found dead in L.A. was indeed the same individual who had jumped from the Tacoma Narrows bridge. The case will now be passed along to the Kitsap County prosecutor’s office for further action.
The shocking turn of events has left Cuellar and his neighbours reeling, as they come to terms with the truth about the man they once trusted. The full story behind Basham’s secret life and eventual demise is yet to be fully uncovered, adding a new chapter to this decades-old mystery..