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Suspect Arrested In Eureka In Child Murder Cold Case

Tacoma Police Department

UPDATED 1:15 p.m. | A 32-year-old cold case 2,000 miles away led to the arrest of a suspect in Eureka on Thursday.

Robert Washburn, 60, was arrested in connection with the 1986 murder of 13-year-old Jennifer Bastian in Tacoma, Washington. He was being held Friday at the Woodford County jail awaiting extradition back to Washington state to stand trial, said Woodford County Sheriff Matt Smith.

On August 4, 1986, Bastian left her home and rode her 18-speed Schwinn bicycle to a park to train for an upcoming bike tour in the San Juan Islands. Jennifer left a note saying she would be home by 6:30 p.m. Several credible sightings of Jennifer were reported around the park as late as 6 p.m. that day.

Jennifer never returned home and a massive search took place at the park. Jennifer’s body was located Aug. 28, 1986, in a wooded area near the park.

The Woodford County sheriff's office and the Illinois State Police worked with the FBI and Tacoma police on the case.

"The staff at the Woodford County sheriff's office are dedicated to serving our county as well as assisting other agencies that need our assistance," Smith said. "We at the sheriff's office hope that the capture of Robert Washburn will help with closure for the family of Jennifer Bastian and the community of Tacoma, Washington."

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Ryan Denham is the digital content director for WGLT.
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