Kyle Wayland Cathcart, 41, was arrested in the death of a family member in their home last week.
COVINGTON, Wash. — Friends and neighbors are remembering 36-year-old Jodi Cathcart as a devoted mother, nonprofit leader and advocate for adoptive families after investigators say her husband was arrested in connection with her death inside the couple’s Covington home.
Kyle W. Cathcart, 41, was booked into the King County Jail early Tuesday after detectives with the King County Sheriff’s Office developed probable cause to arrest him in what investigators described as the killing of a family member inside a shared residence.
Deputies first responded to the home near 186th Place Southeast and Southeast 258th Place shortly after 7 a.m. Friday. A deputy at the scene initially told reporters that two people were involved in the investigation — one person was found dead at the scene, while the other was taken to MultiCare Covington Medical Center for treatment.
Investigators later identified Cathcart as a suspect and issued a public alert over the weekend saying his whereabouts were unknown. Detectives said he had been injured during the incident and could have visible injuries, including a black eye and bandaged hands.
According to the sheriff’s office, Cathcart was located by the Renton Police Department late Monday in Renton and transferred to sheriff’s custody.
Authorities have not publicly detailed how Jodi Cathcart died or what led to the killing. As of Tuesday evening, prosecutors had not announced charges, though the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said Cathcart was expected to appear in court Wednesday.
Friends identified the victim as Jodi Cathcart, director of Foster Champs, a nonprofit that supports foster, adoptive, kinship and guardianship families after adoptions are finalized.
“We’re the only nonprofit that helps after adoption,” said Anjulina Larsen, president of Foster Champs and one of Cathcart’s close friends. “Most stop once the fostering, once the adoption happens, and we fill that gap.”
Larsen said she and Cathcart worked closely together through the organization and spoke nearly every day.
“She was one of my best friends,” Larsen said. “All of a sudden she’s gone, and she’s who I want to talk to right now, and I can’t.”
Jodi Cathcart and her husband had three adopted children together, ages roughly 3 to 7, Larsen said. The children are staying with grandparents.
Neighbors described the family as well-known in the area and said the violence shocked the quiet neighborhood.
“I know them pretty well,” neighbor Kendra Smith said. “I’ve lived here for almost 12 years, and they’ve been here most of that time. … She’s kind of one of those fun boy-mom types.”
Friends said Cathcart was deeply involved in helping foster and adoptive families navigate challenges after children are placed in permanent homes.
Larsen, who adopted her own son, said Cathcart was passionate about supporting children and parents dealing with trauma and difficult transitions.
“She was the force in the room,” Larsen said. “Like, ‘Let’s get this done, we’re going to get this handled, everything is going to be OK.’ She’s the person I’d call if everything was going wrong because she’d shore me up and go, ‘You’ve got this, we’ve got this, we’re going to be good.’”
Larsen said the news of Cathcart’s death came as a shock to those closest to her.
“I had no idea anything was going on,” she said. “It is so startling internally to know that she’s the one that’s gone.”
The killing has rattled neighbors in Covington, where homicides are relatively uncommon. According to sheriff’s office data, investigators handle about one homicide a year in the city.
As the case moves forward, friends and supporters are focusing on helping Cathcart’s children and family.
Foster Champs has launched community fundraising efforts, including a meal train, gift card donations and a fundraiser planned later this month at Gabriella’s Restaurant in Maple Valley. Larsen said proceeds will go toward supporting the children.
“We’re going to help these kids,” Larsen said. “We’re going to help these grandparents raise these kids, and we’re going to do as much as we can.”
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