Royland Errol Barnett, 84, was found dead inside his Chehalis home in the 300 block of Market Boulevard on the morning of April 11, 2024. First responders arrived shortly before 9 a.m. after a report of a possibly unresponsive male; medical personnel confirmed Barnett was deceased. The Lewis County Coroner ruled his death a homicide from a gunshot wound to the head and said the wound was not self-inflicted.

Chehalis detectives took over the scene and described the incident as not random and not an ongoing threat to the community. Investigators say they are following several leads but have released no further details and have not announced any arrests or identified suspects. The motive remains unknown.

If anyone has information about Royland Barnett’s death or was in the area of Market Boulevard on April 11, contact Chehalis detectives.