Body Found in Bunker Where Murder Suspect was Hidding

Suspect builds hidden hole difficult to find

A Washington state man suspected of killing his wife and daughter may have shot himself while hiding out in a bunker, authorities believe.

Deputies found a body inside the bunker where 41-year-old Peter Keller was believed to be hiding. The body appeared to have suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound, CNN reported.

Authorities haven’t officially indentified the body found in the bunker Saturday morning. But they have good reason to believe Keller was held up inside with plenty of food and supplies.

Keller, who does not have a criminal background, is suspected of slaying his wife and daughter then setting his home on fire with the bodies inside. Authorities found evidence in the rummage that could indicate the killings were pre-meditated.

They believe Keller took some time building the large bunker, which was built into the side of a steep hill, making it very difficult for authorities to get to.

“This isn’t a whole in the ground,” Sheriff Steven D. Strachan told CNN. “”This is a large built-up structure.”

Authorities discovered Keller’s whereabouts while investigators where processing evidence at the crime scene. A few neighbors told detectives they’d seen Keller’s pick-up truck near the area.

On Friday, police fired tear gas into the bunker where they believed Keller to be. They were unsure if the tear gas went deep enough to have any effect. The hole was too steep for authorities to enter immediately.

Keller faced two counts of first-degree murder and first-degree arson.