Arrest in connection with death of woman set on fire in 2023

The Tacoma Police Department (TPD) on Wednesday arrested a man in connection with the September 2023 death of an 18-year-old woman who was intentionally set on fire.

At approximately 1 a.m. on September 3, 2023, Tacoma firefighters responded to a brush fire in the 2900 block of Upper Park Street near McKinley Park. After the flames were extinguished, a burned body was subsequently discovered.

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The body was found to be that of Chloee Moore, an 18-year-old woman studying to be a dental hygienist who lived in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood and was described by friends and family as having a “heart of gold.”

“We received news that has changed our lives forever: our Chloee has passed away,” Chloee Moore’s sister wrote for a GoFundMe campaign raising money for funeral expenses. “Unfortunately, due to the cruel hands of a sick individual, my family was not able to say even one final goodbye. Our family is experiencing an unimaginable loss, and so far there are very few answers.”

When she died last year, investigators still believed she had been deliberately set on fire and sprayed with an accelerant. However, they were only able to arrest the perpetrators this week – almost a year after the tragic incident.

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The suspect arrested is a man in his 40s, whose identity has not yet been confirmed as no formal charges have been filed against him. He was arrested on Tuesday and charged with drug-related manslaughter.

The Pierce County District Attorney’s Office told KIRO 7 that the suspect will likely be arraigned on Thursday.

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.

Contributors: KIRO 7

Frank Sumrall is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here and email him here.