The Curious Case of Lyle Stevik

[Susan]

Doe Name: Lyle Stevik
Agency Case Number: 01-7870
Doe Network Case File: 233UMWA
NamUs Case Number: 01-238
NCIC Number: U960002335


Contact Information
Agency: Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Department
Contact: Detective Sergeant Brad Johanssen
Phone: 360-249-6070



Case History

On Monday, September 17, 2001, a man is found dead in a motel room in Amanda Park, Washington. He had hanged himself on the coat rack. He has yet to be identified.

Three days previously (Friday, September 14, 2001), the man checks in using the name “Lyle Stevik”, and the address “1019 S Progress Ave, Meridian, Idaho”. The motel manager describes the man as having a “slight Canadian accent”; she thinks he might have a backpack, but isn’t sure. He arrives at the same time as buses stop outside the motel, but nobody is certain how Lyle traveled there. He is given the key to room 8, but returns an hour later to complain about noise from a nearby trailer park. The motel clerk describes Lyle as giving off “bad vibes”, being “spaced”, and making her feel nervous. He is given the key to room 5.

On Saturday 15 September, 2001, Lyle is noticed “pacing” up and down the highway. He is also seen by “several people” on the porch outside room 5. On Sunday, 16 September, 2001, the motel maid offers to clean his room; Lyle declines, but asks for additional towels. On Monday 16 September, 2001, Lyle is due to check out of his room. The maid finds his body and calls the motel owner. Police arrive.
Lyle leaves $160 in $20 bills in a hotel comment card, with “FOR THE ROOM” written on the front. In the bin, there is a copy of the previous day’s Daily World Sunday newspaper, an empty Pepsi cup, and a note with the word “SUICIDE” written across. Other items that are found in the room include a toothbrush, toothpaste, coffee cup, and $2.40 in spare change. In Lyle’s pocket is $8 in dollar bills and a pen. The address Lyle gives on check-in belongs to the Best Western Rama Inn in Meridian, Idaho. Hotel employees do not recognize the John Doe.

Circumstances of Discovery and Death

Date Found: Monday, September 17, 2001.
Date of Death: Unknown, estimated to be in the PM hours of Sunday, September 16, 2001.
Time of Death: Unknown, estimated to be in the PM hours of Sunday, September 16, 2001.
Date of Death Reported:
Time of Death Reported:
Location Pronounced Dead: Lake Quinault Inn, 8 North Shore Road, Amanda Park, WA 98526, USA.

Cause of Death: Suicide by hanging
Official Cause of Death: Suicide by hanging
Manner of Death: Suicide by hanging.
Buried: Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County, WA, USA.
Reason for Investigation: Unidentified
Known Injuries: Scrapes/Cuts on Hands

Characteristics and Information

Status: Unidentified.
Name: Unidentified. Used alias “Lyle Stevik”
Estimated Age: 20 - 30 years of age. May be reported as 30-40 incorrectly. The Detective guessed he was around 25 years of age.
Sex: Male.
Hair: Black, straight, neatly trimmed.
Eyes: Hazel
Nose: TBD - We believe it may have been broken at one time, but this has not been verified by the ME.
Race: White - sometimes listed as Hispanic or Native American.

Distinguishing Marks

Marks on knuckle.
Mole on the left side of his chin.
Non-Recent appendectomy scar.

Clothing and Accessories

Blue plaid shirt.
Brown leather belt with silver “western-style” buckle. Contains the markings “GENUINE LEATHER MADE IN USA”; “L31”; “7301”.
Grey Fruit of the Loom T-shirt, size XL.
Hanes white underpants, size 32-34.
Levi 550 jeans, size 36-34.
Timberland black leather boots, size 10M.

Forensics

DNA: In CODIS.
Fingerprints: Available.
Dentals: Available (dental impression and dental chart).

Missing Persons

When considering missing persons for the following, please consider excluding:
Any female missing person.
Any Black, or Asian missing person.
Any missing person standing over 6’5, and under 5’11 (71-77”).
Any missing person with blond hair or red hair.
Any missing person with large scars (other than appendectomy).
Any missing person with tattoos.

[FunkPumpkin]

What a shame! His unibrow was almost completely filled in.

Seriously though, I lived in the Seattle area during the time of this guy's death. I don't recall hearing anything about him on the Seattle news outlets.

[Susan]

There's more info on him here:

http://wikivisually.com/wiki/Lyle_Stevik/wiki_ph_id_6


and quite a lot on here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/lylestevik/

[FunkPumpkin]

Thanks for the extra info. The incident took place in September 2001, but links to media coverage were all dated 2003 and later. Perhaps that's why I never heard of this incident. I move from WA to MO in May 2002.

[Neo1130]

Originally Posted by FunkPumpkin

What a shame! His unibrow was almost completely filled in.

Seriously though, I lived in the Seattle area during the time of this guy's death. I don't recall hearing anything about him on the Seattle news outlets.

Most likely wouldn't have either... This was 5 days after 9/11 for one... Not everyone's suicide will make the news... It's Washington State after all... If everyone's suicide was plastered on the news, it'd be nothing but suicide notices all day...

I've stayed in that hotel a couple of times... Wonder which room it was! I am done with hotels now that I have my travel trailer but I use to do the 101 loop at least twice a year and stayed in multiple hotels...

[Susan]

It was room 5 if i remember right. It's on one of the links up there.

[FunkPumpkin]

Originally Posted by Neo1130

... It's Washington State after all... If everyone's suicide was plastered on the news, it'd be nothing but suicide notices all day...

Amen to that.

[bababoozer]

It's not THAT curious. Clearly he was a gay man.

[dyannalane]

Originally Posted by FunkPumpkin

What a shame! His unibrow was almost completely filled in.

Seriously though, I lived in the Seattle area during the time of this guy's death. I don't recall hearing anything about him on the Seattle news outlets.

[dyannalane]

LMFAO!!!!!