Detectives investigating the January 2017 murders of four members of the Careaga family are hoping those who sent in recent tips will contact them again.
The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office issued a statement Tuesday saying it had gathered valuable information from letters it received about other “persons of interest” who know Danie Jay Kelly Jr., 39, the only named “person of interest” in the case.
“This information may contain a critical piece to this investigation,” the statement said. “The Sheriff’s Office is requesting that the author(s) of recently submitted letters, or other members of the public who have information to provide, to please contact Kitsap County Sheriff’s detectives.”
In January, investigators named Kelly as a “person of interest” in the case but said there were “numerous” persons of interest beside Kelly.
“We are looking to engage in further discussions,” the statement said. “You may continue to remain anonymous, if desired.”
Prior to being named in connection to the Careaga murders, Kelly was charged in September 2017 with an assault on his mother, charges which were dismissed before trial when his mother refused to cooperate with prosecutors. The assault was investigated by the lead detective on the Careaga case.
Kelly was the person seen in Jan. 15, 2017, surveillance footage from the Silverdale Target and released by investigators. In the footage, investigators said Kelly is wearing clothing associated with the Bandidos Motorcycle Club.
On Jan. 27, 2017, the four members of the family were shot to death. Christale Lynn Careaga, 37, Hunter E. Schaap, 16, and Johnathon F. Higgins, 16, were found in a house near Tahuya Lake after firefighters pushed back a fire at a residence. The body of Johnny Careaga, 43, was found the next day in a burned-out truck off a remote Mason County road.
Those who want to share information with authorities can contact detectives by using the case’s task force hotline at 360-337-5613 or through Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). There is also an application for smartphones to relay tips, the “P3 tip app.”
