Charles Gardiner, the interim chief of the Cowlitz Tribal Public Safety Department, died last week of an apparent suicide, and now a criminal investigation into Gardiner has been openend as authorities suspect he committed sex offenses against a juvenile victim
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has split a recent incident into two investigations — the apparent suicide of Charles Gardiner, the interim chief of the Cowlitz Tribal Public Safety Department, and now a criminal investigation into several sex offenses believed to have been committed by Gardiner against a juvenile victim.
On April 23, deputies with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a residential burglary in the 9000 block of NE 79th Street in Vancouver. The caller reported a male subject inside the residence. The male suspect fled the residence on foot.
As deputies and other law enforcement officers searched the area, they located a vehicle with a deceased person inside. That person matched the subject’s description.
Later, CCSO confirmed the deceased person was Gardiner.
On Thursday, May 1, the CCSO released an update in a flash alert to the public:
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the death and the circumstances regarding this incident.
There is no indication that this was a residential burglary. The Sheriff’s office has split the incident into two investigations: the death investigation and a criminal investigation.
Evidence of Gardiner’s death is consistent with a suicide. The evidence suggests he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The sheriff’s office has opened a criminal investigation into several sex offenses believed to have been committed by Gardiner against a juvenile victim, the alert said.
Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation, additional details will not be released at this time.
The information for this report was provided by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Also read:
- WA Senate Republicans unable to stop income tax bill now headed to governor’s desk
Washington lawmakers narrowly approved a new income tax on households earning over $1 million, setting the stage for court battles and a statewide initiative campaign. - 17th District lawmakers Kevin Waters and David Stuebe decry passage of state income tax bill after marathon floor debate
Reps. Kevin Waters and David Stuebe condemn Senate Bill 6346, warning the new state income tax sends more money into the general fund without real reform, risks expanding to every family, and ignores Washington’s affordability crisis. - Opinion: Washington’s fight for liberty
Conservative columnist Nancy Churchill argues that despite the passage of a new 9.9% state income tax, signs of shifting political momentum in Washington state give reason for hope and continued action. - 18th District Reps. Stephanie McClintock and John Ley denounce passage of state income tax
Following a marathon 24-hour House floor debate, 18th District Reps. Stephanie McClintock and John Ley denounce Senate Bill 6346, a new 9.9% state income tax on household income above $1 million, warning it could expand broadly, harm Washington’s economy, and face serious constitutional challenges. - County pays $7.5 million to widow of VPD Officer Donald Sahota
Clark County has agreed to pay $7.5 million to the widow of Vancouver Police Officer Donald Sahota to resolve a negligence lawsuit following the 2022 incident where a sheriff’s deputy mistakenly shot the off-duty officer during a confrontation with a robbery suspect. - Opinion: Brandi Kruse and I are feeling discouraged but we’re planning to continue advocating for political change. Will you?
Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance reflects on a discouraging week in Washington state politics, echoing Brandi Kruse’s frustrations over Democrats’ state income tax victory and local decisions on transit and ICE while urging conservatives not to give up on advocating for political change. - OII passes 60-day point in Vancouver Police Department use of deadly force investigation
The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations is just past 60 days into its investigation of a Vancouver Police Department use of deadly force involving officers Sean Donaldson and Christopher Holmquist and the death of 44-year-old Perry J. Sellars after a late-night disturbance call on NE 46th Street.
