Jackie Wessels, 40, was found unresponsive in her North Hamilton Street bedroom in Spokane on the morning of July 21, 2024. The Spokane County Medical Examiner determined she died of multiple gunshot wounds to the torso and ruled the death a homicide.

Court documents describe a dispute over a motorcycle deal as the catalyst. Wessels’ son told police that Travis R. Johnson allegedly misrepresented his mother in the transaction, and that Wessels took possession of Johnson’s Jeep in response. Surveillance footage on the morning of the killing shows a man in a dark shirt entering the alley behind the house; neighbors reported a dark SUV and two men entering the home and leaving hurriedly with a computer monitor and a bag.

Police arrested 41-year-old Travis R. Johnson on unrelated drug charges in Coeur d’Alene on July 29. While in custody, his girlfriend said he confessed, claiming he had been held at her house, escaped, returned with a gun, and shot Wessels; he allegedly told her he disposed of the pistol in a Rockford pond. Johnson has been charged with second-degree murder and authorities are working to transfer him to Spokane County to face that charge.

If anyone has information about activity near North Hamilton Street the morning of July 21, please come forward.