SPOKANE, Wash. — 3 people were arrested early on Wednesday, August 28 and charged in connection with the death of a man who went missing in April 2024.
Robert B. Abbott, 62, was reported missing by his wife, Star Abbott, on April 6, 2024.
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) says after investigations started in April, they now consider Abbott to be dead, but his body has not been found.
Starr Abbott told KREM 2 reporters in April that she found what appeared to be blood on the floor of her home on April 6.
According to court documents, Starr Abbott was served with divorce papers on April 1, 2024. Starr had reportedly gone to stay with her mother and was not in the home until a friend of the couple asked her to check on Robert Abbott on April 6 after not hearing from him for several days.
According to court documents, officials determined that Abbott's car, a BMW, along with a chainsaw and other tools from the workshop on his property, were stolen on the night of April 1, 2024.
SCSO says detectives with the Major Crimes Unit developed probable cause to charge 51-year-old Richard L. Trower with Second Degree Murder, Residential Burglary, Taking a Motor Vehicle without Permission in the Second Degree, Theft in the Second Degree and Trafficking in Stolen Property.
Detectives also developed probable cause to charge Trower’s wife, 52-year-old Teri L. Trower with Rendering Criminal Assistance in the First Degree and Trafficking in Stolen Property.
DeeAnna Latting, a family friend of Star and Robert Abbott, told KREM 2 reporters on August 28 that Richard Trower and Robert Abbott had been living together for a time and had a falling out after Abbott kicked Trower off his property and accused Trower of stealing from him.
"Robert and Richard had a falling out over Richard stealing Robert's wife's sandblaster for her business. And so Rob kicked him off the property and told him he needed to leave, that he wasn't allowed there anymore. He was stealing from him," said Latting.
Latting also said that Starr Abbott moved out of Washington state to avoid memories of the incident.
"She married her best friend, and all of a sudden, now she doesn't have it. And it was too much, too hard to be in Spokane anymore," said Latting.
Court documents say that Abbott's stolen BMW was reportedly found in a mobile home park in Mead on April 5 and that Richard Trower was seen driving the car by witnesses several times between April 1 and April 5.
On April 6, Richard and Teri Trower were pulled over while driving an unlicensed car and officials report finding a large amount of blood stains in the car, leading them to believe that Abbott is now dead, according to court documents.
SCSO says around 1 a.m. on August 28, the Kalispel Tribal Authorities contacted SCSO deputies saying that Richard Trower was at the Northern Quest Casino.
SCSO deputies coordinated with Kalispel Authorities and Airway Heights Police Officers to arrest both Richard and Teri Trower when they exited the casino at approximately 1:50 a.m.
Richard and Teri Trower were informed of their charges and booked into the Spokane County Jail.
The third suspect was identified as 43-year-old Heather L. Lewis.
SCSO says Lewis was located at a home in Cheney around 11 a.m. and will be booked into the Spokane County Jail for charges of Second Degree Murder, Residential Burglary, Taking a Motor Vehicle without Permission in the Second Degree, and Theft in the Second Degree.
According to court documents, Richard Trower and Lewis had several phone conversations between April 2 and April 4 about what to do with the stolen items. Richard Trower also reportedly advised Lewis to delete messages off her phone after these exchanges.
SCSO says the investigation remains active and additional charges or arrests are still possible.
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
