Body found in Elma yard; Elma man wanted

The Grays Harbor Sheriff's Office is trying to locate the owner of a home in rural Elma where a body was discovered Tuesday night. The incident is currently being investigated as a homicide. Sheriff Rick Scott has confirmed that the deceased male found near the residence was a 47-year-old Elma man. The name has not yet been released as next of kin has not been notified yet.
The body was discovered when Grays Harbor Deputies responded to a call pertaining to the house around 11pm on Tuesday, May 31, about a possible explosion near the residence. Other calls came into the Grays Harbor Sheriff's Office pertaining to a fire in the same residence, and other calls even reported possible gunshots being heard.

The house was on fire by the time the authorities arrived, and a neighbor was able to notify the deputies of the body. A preliminary examination of the body evidenced trauma, and the incident is being investigated as a homicide.

Police are searching for the owner of the home that the body was found in, Jacob Eveland. Eveland was released from the county jail on Tuesday on a domestic assault charge. He had allowed a number of people who were "more or less transient" to live at the house.

It was reported that Eveland was at the house on Tuesday evening around 9pm, a family member reported to have dropped the victim off and seen Eveland at the residence. Eveland is known to be driving a light colored, full sized pickup with a matching canopy, possibly gold or white colored. Eveland is described to be six feet, on inches tall and about 220 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair.

Police are asking those who may have information on Eveland's whereabouts to come forward. Anyone with information should contact the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office.