Philip Hamlin, 96, was killed inside his Normandy Park, Washington home on Saturday, January 25, 2014. A pioneer in cable television who remained active in his neighborhood, Hamlin was shot in the face while seated on his family room sofa. A .38 pistol belonging to Hamlin and a bloodied crowbar were recovered at the scene.

The person charged in the case was 22-year-old Shane Chamberlain, the estranged husband of Hamlin’s live-in caregiver and a guest in the house that day. Chamberlain allegedly attacked Hamlin’s granddaughter, Bethany, with the crowbar; she escaped with severe ear injuries and sought help from neighbors. Chamberlain then called 911, identified himself as the murderer and said he “broke.” He surrendered at the scene and was arrested and charged with first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement and first-degree assault with a deadly weapon. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The family had checked Chamberlain’s background and found no history of violence. Does anyone have information about Chamberlain’s connection to the family or what preceded the attack?