Shawn Ann McClenahan, born May 30, 1958, in Walla Walla, Washington, was found dead December 26, 1997, in Spokane County. She had trained as a ward secretary and phlebotomist at Spokane Community College and worked at Deaconess and Sacred Heart medical centers. Her body was discovered in a remote area of Spokane County and, like many others attributed to the same offender, she had been shot in the head.

Robert Lee Yates Jr., a former Army helicopter pilot, was arrested in April 2000 and later confessed to multiple murders, including McClenahan’s. Reports say most of his victims were sex workers from Spokane’s East Sprague Avenue; DNA and other forensic analysis linked him to several killings. Yates pleaded and received a lengthy prison sentence; the Spokane County Prosecutor initially kept McClenahan’s charge in reserve in case of appeal.

If anyone knew Shawn, her routines, or has information about her death, please share what might help investigators or family.