Spokane County sheriff arrest suspects in homicide

AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Three suspects were arrested on attempted homicide of an Airway Heights man on Aug. 28.

Richard Lee Trower, 51, has been booked by Spokane County District on first degree murder with first degree burglary, residential burglary and second degree of taking a motor vehicle without permission. His bond was set at $1 million and he remains in Spokane County Jail.

Teri L Christenson, 51, was charged with first degree criminal assistance and first degree in stolen property. Her bond was set at $100,000 and she remains in jail.

Heather L. Lewis, 43, faces multiple charges including first degree murder with first degree burglary, burglary residential and second degree of taking motor vehicle without permission. Her bond was set at $3 million and she remains in jail.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office says after investigations started in April, they now consider Robert Abbott, 62, to be dead, but his body has yet to be found.

Abbott was reported missing by his wife, Star Abbott, on April 6. She said she found what appeared to be blood on the floor of her home.

Court documents indicated 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 5.

On April 6, both 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.

The arrests occurred in the parking lot of Northern Quest Casino after Kalispel Tribal Authorities alerted deputies to Richard Trower’s presence at the casino. Working in coordination with Airway Heights Police Department, officers waited until the couple exited the building before making the arrest around 1:50 a.m.

Later that same morning, at approximately 11:00 a.m., detectives arrested the third suspect, Heather L. Lewis, 43, at a residence east of Cheney. She was taken into custody without incident.