The quiet community of Battle Ground, Washington, was shattered by a tragic event on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, when two individuals were found dead in a home, victims of a brutal double homicide. The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the deceased as Tiffany Vela, 37, and Spencer Jones, 37, both of whom succumbed to multiple sharp force injuries. The loss of these two lives has left a profound mark on the tight-knit neighborhood, where such violence is a rarity, marking the first homicide investigation in the city in(ARG0) in five years.
The grim discovery was made shortly before 10 a.m. in the 2100 block of Northeast 2nd Avenue, a newly developed residential area where homes are still under construction. A family member, arriving at the residence, encountered a harrowing scene and promptly dialed 911, reporting multiple individuals down inside the home. Responding officers from the Battle Ground Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office found Tiffany Vela and Spencer Jones deceased, their lives cut short by what authorities have described as a violent act involving sharp force trauma. A third individual, 40-year-old Evaristo “Junior” Vela, was found at the scene with critical injuries and was rushed to a local hospital, where he remains under medical care.
On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, authorities named Evaristo “Junior” Vela as the suspect in the killings. The investigation, led by the Battle Ground Police Department with support from the Clark County Major Crimes Team, has revealed that the incident is believed to be domestic in nature, with at least two of the individuals involved sharing a familial relationship. The exact nature of their connection remains unclear, though Police Chief Dennis Flynn noted that the residence, occupied for only a month or two, had no prior history of police calls. The case has been forwarded to the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review, and no additional suspects are being sought, indicating that investigators believe Evaristo Vela acted alone.
The community of Battle Ground, a city unaccustomed to such tragedy, is grappling with the shock of this loss. Tiffany Vela and Spencer Jones, both in their late 30s, were described by neighbors as recent arrivals to the neighborhood, living in a home nestled within a still-developing subdivision. The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to release further details on the precise circumstances of their deaths, pending notification of next of kin. The cause of Evaristo Vela’s injuries also remains undisclosed, adding to the questions swirling around this devastating event.
Investigators have executed two search warrants related to the case, methodically piecing together the sequence of events that led to this tragedy. The involvement of the Clark County Major Crimes Team underscores the complexity of the investigation, as authorities work to uncover the motive and circumstances behind the killings. Chief Flynn emphasized the emotional weight of the case, noting the sadness inherent in incidents involving familial ties. The absence of prior police activity at the residence suggests this was an isolated event, yet it has left residents reeling, searching for answers in a community where such violence feels profoundly out of place.
As the investigation continues, the Battle Ground community mourns the loss of Tiffany Vela and Spencer Jones, whose lives were taken in an act of unimaginable violence. The ongoing hospitalization of the suspect, Evaristo Vela, adds a layer of uncertainty to an already heart-wrenching story. Authorities have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat, but the scars left by this tragedy will linger, a stark reminder of the fragility of peace in even the quietest of neighborhoods.
