'We've wanted answers for the last 5 years': 3 suspects in Careaga family murders held without bail

PORT ORCHARD — Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Kevin Hull ordered the three suspects accused of murdering the Careaga family held without bail Tuesday morning at their first appearances in court.

The three, accused of the Jan. 27, 2017, murders of Johnny Careaga, 43; Christale Lynn Careaga, 37; Hunter E. Schaap, 16; and Johnathon F. Higgins, 16, entered not-guilty pleas to 16 felony counts, including aggravated murder.

Dive deeper: How Kitsap detectives' investigation links 3 men to the murders of the Careaga family

The three — Danie J. Kelly Jr. 43; Robert J. Watson III, 50; and Johnny J. Watson, 49 — were arrested Monday by detectives and booked into the Kitsap County Jail on $20 million bail. Hull chose to hold them without bail, citing the crimes as charged "capital" cases. And though the state Supreme Court unanimously struck down capital punishment in 2018, Hull cited a state appellate court case in arguing that the suspects could be held without bail because of the severity of the crimes they're accused of.

The lengthy investigation by Kitsap County Sheriff's detectives found that there had been an argument between Johnny Careaga and the suspects, possibly over the cocaine trade. The four family members were all shot to death, execution-style, with their home — and in Johnny Careaga's case, his truck — set ablaze after the killings.

Detectives — using extensive cell phone location records, citing interviews and other evidence — laid out various circumstances in which they say the three acted suspiciously to cover their tracks.

Carly Schaap, Hunter’s mother, said on Tuesday that the arrests were a “victory for her family.”

“We’ve wanted answers for the past five years,” she said. “These are awful individuals who committed heinous crimes against four people and shook our community.”

During a press conference on Tuesday, Kitsap County Sheriff's Detective S Lissa Gundrum said that the investigation into the murders isn't over and that detectives believe there are more people involved.

While details in court documents attempt to piece together a timeline of the shootings and the subsequent arson at the Careaga's Tenino Drive West home on a Friday, Gundrum pointed out that Careaga's truck was not found at a Mason County tree farm until Sunday, and that caretakers of the property had not observed the truck on Saturday.

"We know that there is another crime scene somewhere," Gundrum said, adding that she believes Johnny Careaga was held somewhere in the Seabeck area or in North Mason County before being transported to the tree farm. "We know that there are more people that were either involved and have information."

Gundrum said that none of the three suspects agreed to speak with detectives following their arrest on Monday and that no additional evidence was gathered during their arrests.

No single motive was identified in the court documents detailing what investigators believe was the chain of events before and after the deaths. Gundrum said the motive was "complicated."

"It's involving drugs, money and there's definitely some personality conflicts, but ultimately that's going to be an answer only the suspects know," she said.

Robert Watson was identified in court documents as a leader in the Bandidos motorcycle club, while Kelly was identified as either a "hang-around" or a "prospect" ⁠— someone seeking initiation into the club. Gundrum said she didn't think the motorcycle club would play a role in trying to intimidate witnesses or those coming forward with information.

"Obviously witnesses are concerned for their safety," Gundrum said. "Do I think the club is going to threaten or intimidate? Probably not. I think we have some good rapport with the higher members."

But, she added, "there is still concern."

She said club leaders that detectives have interviewed have been cooperative.

"What we understand or have been told, is that's not what the club stands for, killing women and children," Gundrum said. "They have a sense of loyalty and want to defend and obviously protect their brothers, but they won't stand for a member who kills children and women."

The arrests on Monday come more than five years after the murder, with court documents detailing evidence collected during the intervening years. Gundrum said detectives had to wait for lab work and learn technology the office had never used before. She said the search warrants "were complicated."

"There was always going to be an arrest, but we needed to dot our 'i's' and cross our 't's," Gundrum said.

Gundrum said she was appreciative of the tips provided up to this point.

"The Kitsap County community has been amazing," she said. "They have called in tips, emailed, private Facebook messaged a lot of information."

Check out: Unsolved murders in Kitsap and Mason counties

She added one more plea, including to those who may have held back information during previous conversations with detectives.

"Now is the time to help us hold these gentlemen accountable, and anyone else who rendered criminal assistance."

The next court hearing in the three cases will be on June 27.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Careaga family murders: Judge orders suspects held without bail