Renton Teen Found Dead in Home Following Suspicious Fire

Investigators are searching for a person of interested following the discovery of the body of a 17-year-old Lindbergh High School student who was found dead in her home this morning.

Investigators said the person of interest, a young man, was driving a green Mazda Protege possibly with black wheels and Washington state license plate number of 077 YRD. He is believed to be headed to eastern Washington. 

The young man's mother checked his online bank account this morning and it appeard the man purchased gas in North Bend shortly after the fire.

Firefighters found the girl's body after receiving a 7:54 a.m. report of a fire at a home near the corner of SE 164th and 128th Ave. SE. Renton Fire and Emergency Services arrived four minutes after the call and extinguished the fire within 10 minutes. It was when firefighters searched the home they found the girl's body alone.

Her parents have been notified but her identity had not been released. 

The Renton School District notified parents of the death of a student prior to the start of school on Friday, said Lindbergh parent Kari Kopnick. The notice did not provide any further details.

A girl who identified herself as an 11th-grade Lindbergh student spoke with Patch late this morning. She attempted to go to her friend's home near the homicide scene, but was turned away by police.

Students were told that the girl "died becasue of the fire," she said. "Everybody is crying. It's like silence."

"I knew her as a person, but not personally," said of the victim.

Classes have remained on the normal schedule, according to the student.