After four long years, police in Washington State have arrested a man who allegedly murdered a woman, drove her body nearly 200 miles, and buried her in a shallow grave with used syringes scattered on top to make the death look like a drug overdose.
Victim Reported Missing in 2021
The victim, Amanda Elaine Green, was 36 years old when she was reported missing in August 2021 by police in Tacoma. In 2022, detectives got a tip that she may have been killed in the Yelm area, but they didn’t have enough evidence to arrest anyone—mainly because her body hadn’t been found.
The Breakthrough in the Case
This year, in March, investigators reopened the case. Last weekend, they arrested James Daniel Lewis on an unrelated warrant. During questioning, Lewis allegedly confessed to killing Green at his home in Yelm and led authorities to the spot where he had buried her.
Police found human remains in a shallow grave near Mt. Rainier in Lewis County, believed to be Amanda Green’s.
Murder Over Property Dispute
According to the police report, Lewis feared that Green was trying to take over the property that once belonged to his grandmother. Several witnesses told detectives they either heard the gunshot, were present at the time, or heard Lewis confess to the crime later.
Lewis initially blamed another man for the shooting, claiming he was forced to help hide the body. However, during further questioning, Lewis reportedly admitted he was the one who pulled the trigger. He said the other man helped move the body but did not participate in the murder.
Bizarre Justifications for the Killing
Lewis gave several reasons for shooting Green:
He accused her of stealing his guns.
He claimed she pointed a gun at him.
He alleged she forced him to take a shower, which he found humiliating.
At one point, Lewis even told detectives, “If you know me, I don’t like taking showers,” suggesting he was looking for any excuse to shoot her. He later admitted he was “too jumpy” and acted impulsively.
Syringes Used to Fake an Overdose Scene
To cover up the murder, Lewis and the other man reportedly threw used syringes on top of the grave to make it look like Amanda had died of a drug overdose. The second man has not been charged yet, as he is currently facing mental health issues.
Ongoing Legal Process
Lewis is now in Thurston County Jail without bond. He is facing several charges, including:
Second-degree murder
Unlawful possession of a firearm
Unlawful disposal of human remains
His next court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.
