Community Police & Fire

Gig Harbor Police Blotter | Remains found at Purdy Park and Ride a year ago identified

The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified skeletal remains found in 2024 near the Purdy Park and Ride as those of a 52-year-old man who had previously been reported missing. 

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office reported finding the remains on July 10, 2024. Someone saw them near the creek to the east of the park and ride and reported the remains to deputies. 

On June 9, the Medical Examiner’s Office officially identified the remains as those of Robert Morris, 52. The cause of his death is undetermined. 

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media in March 2024 that Morris was missing and frequented the area of the Purdy Park and Ride. That’s where his remains were found almost exactly four months later. 

 Two killed in crash on Soundview identified

David Dodge, 65, and Ethel Dodge, 67, died in a June 6 collision on Soundview Drive in Gig Harbor, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office announced last week. 

The Olalla residents died when a pickup hit their SUV on Soundview Drive near Grandview Street around 6:45 p.m. on June 6. The driver of the pickup, a 50-year-old man, experienced a serious medical issue and lost control of his vehicle.