Andrew Spencer was 31 when he disappeared from Granite Falls, Washington, in early November 2015. The last contact from him was a text to his girlfriend on November 3, 2015 that said I love you so much baby. His vehicle was later found off the Mountain Loop Highway with its windows smashed and the tires removed.

More than a week after he was last seen, Spencer’s remains were located on a property in Granite Falls — shot, burned and buried in a fire pit. Investigation focused on 49-year-old George Hatt Jr., who witnesses said had argued with Spencer, accusing him of burglarizing his home and stealing guitars and jewelry. Hatt was arrested after being found in Auburn, Washington.

At trial prosecutors said Hatt planned and carried out the killing and then tried to destroy the body by burning it and using chemicals; Hatt claimed self-defense. In May 2017 Hatt was convicted of first-degree murder with a firearm, unlawful gun possession and tampering with physical evidence, and two months later received nearly 36 years in prison.