‘My Heart Is Broken’: WA Dad Remembers Son Allegedly Raped & Killed By Lifelong Pal
Benjamin (BJ) Eastman Jr. has not remained silent about his son’s brutal murder in Washington this June. “Such a bright soul. I will never be the same. My heart is broken,” BJ wrote in a Facebook post on July 9th above a photo of his son riding a dirtbike.
Benjamin Eastman III was last seen by his father on June 23rd, 2018, at their home in Lewis County, RadarOnline.com has learned. When Ben had still not turned up three days later, BJ penned a desperate plea to Facebook: “Sherrif (sic) has been called if you see Ben Eastman he is missing and needs to get home please.”
But it was already too late for Ben. According to a press release from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received a tip about a freshly dug grave on property belonging to a relative of one of Ben’s closest friends.
The friend, 16-year-old Benito S. Marquez and his 21-year-old brother, Jonathan R. Adamson, quickly became prime suspects. Police soon discovered that Benito had texted Ben on the night of his disappearance about a possible camping trip.
The fate Ben met was much worse. According to court documents, Ben endured 20-45 minutes of brutal beatings, including kicks to the abdomen. He was also allegedly violated with a stick while he was still alive.
Marquez and Adamson were arrested in connection with Ben’s murder on June 30th.
“This is a horrific and senseless death that will have a lasting impact on this small community, surrounding area, and all involved. Through the work of our deputies, detectives, other agencies, and the citizens of Lewis County we have been able to apprehend the two, we feel our responsible for the murder of Ben Eastman III,” Chief Deputy Bruce Kimsey wrote in a statement.
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In the following weeks, warrants were issued for Marquez and Adamson’s mother, Kindra Rose Adamson, and for Adamson’s fiancée, Emma Brown. Kindra was arrested on July 11th and charged rendering criminal assistance in the 1st degree for her knowledge of the crime after the homicide, but before her sons were arrested.
Emma Brown turned herself in on Thursday.
Marquez, who is being tried as an adult, and Adamson are both charged with murder in the 1st degree, rape in the first degree and tampering with evidence. Marquez is additionally charged with unlawful disposal of remains, and Adamson with removal and concealment of a body. Both are held with a $10 million bail.
In the days following his son’s death, BJ has written on Facebook that he hopes to spread love and kindness in his son’s memory.
“I have this spot in my heart that tells me to love, tells me to laugh, tells me to smile, it asks me what would Ben want,” BJ wrote on July 7th. “I call that spot Ben. I live through Ben now. Please try it.”
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