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Pair accused of killing Mercer Island man caught on camera using victim's credit card on spending spree

Philip Brewer, 32, and Christina Hardy, 47, are accused of befriending 74-year-old Curtis Engeland, only to later kill him and spend his money.

COSMOPOLIS, Wash. — A man and woman facing murder, kidnapping and theft charges in the death of a Mercer Island man were caught on camera spending the victim's money.

Philip Brewer, 32, and Christina Hardy, 47, are accused of befriending 74-year-old Curtis Engeland, only to later kill him and spend his money. 

Surveillance footage captured the pair at a used car dealership, a gas station and a McDonald's. 

The pair started on Feb. 24 in Grays Harbor County, not too far from where investigators say they dumped Engeland's body after stabbing him and injecting him with fentanyl.

Surveillance cameras at a Cosmopolis gas station catch Brewer and Hardy pull in at about 2 a.m. They are seen getting out of Engeland's Toyota Camry then they take a look at the trunk before Hardy tells Brewer to fill the car with gas. Police say they later found the trunk covered in blood.

Credit: KCPAO
Philip Brewer and Christina Hardy seen at a gas station in Grays Harbor County driving Curtis Engeland's car after they allegedly killed him.

Almost 12 hours later, at about 3 p.m., Brewer and Hardy were spotted on camera at a Renton used car dealership, where court documents say they spent more than $25,000 on a 2017 Chevy Impala. Investigators believe they used Engeland's credit card to make the purchase.

Credit: king County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Brewer and Hardy allegedly bought a used Chevy Impala from a car dealership for $25,000 with Engeland's credit card.

Finally, at about 4:30 p.m., Brewer, Hardy and her teenage son walked into a Mercer Island McDonald's and placed an order at the counter.

Detectives say they were also seen cleaning out Engeland's car in the fast food restaurant parking lot.

Credit: KCPAO
Brewer seen placing an order at a Mercer Island McDonald's.

Engeland's body was found in Cosmopolis, over 100 miles from his home, about a week later.

Hardy and Brewer were arrested three weeks later in California, where they remain in custody on $5 million bail.

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