On April 18, 2019, a 911 call from a North Pearl Street residence in Tacoma, Washington, reported an attempted suicide. Responding officers found 31-year-old Joshua Everman in bed with a gunshot wound to his head; he was taken to a hospital and died of his injuries. His fiancée, Nina Joy Smith, initially told investigators he had shot himself during an argument while she tended to their 4-month-old in the same bedroom. Another 4-year-old child was also present.

Detectives reported inconsistencies in Smith’s account. Everman, who was right-handed, had been shot on the left side of his head; forensic analysis indicated the gun was fired from at least a foot away. Investigators found two other fired rounds in the room, signs of a struggle, and blood on Smith’s hands. Court records showed a prior March 2019 fourth-degree assault charge by Smith against Everman and a no-contact order that was rescinded about a week before the shooting. Smith was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and pleaded not guilty at arraignment; bail was set at $1 million.

If anyone knew Joshua, Nina, or the household dynamics at that North Pearl Street address, any information could be important.