Kenneth Downing, 47, was arrested on March 17, 2022, and charged with two home invasion rapes that took place in 2003 and 2004 in the Pioneer Hill neighborhood of Pullman, Washington.
The first victim was woken up in her bedroom in November of 2003 by an intruder who threatened her with a gun and then proceeded to rape her several times.
The second and third victims were attacked in March of 2004 when they arrived home to find a man waiting for them. He also threatened them with a gun, tied up one of the women and raped the other.
The FGG investigation was conducted by Identifinders International.
Downing was charged with four counts of first-degree rape, two counts of burglary, and forcible confinement – among other charges – in Whitman County Superior Court. On August 19, 2022, Downing was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of first-degree rape and one count of assault in the second degree with a sexual motivation. As part of the plea agreement, he will be eligible for parole after serving 23 years.
Sources:
Big Country News. “Arrest Made After DNA Evidence Links Man to 18-Year-Old Pullman Cold Cases.” Big Country News, March 17, 2022. Accessed March 20, 2022. https://www.bigcountrynewsconnection.com/local/arrest-made-after-dna-evidence-links-man-to-18-year-old-pullman-cold-cases/article_9be558f6-a63b-11ec-a4b5-1bdb9cc0f31e.html.
Evan, Ellis. “Suspected Pioneer Hill Serial Rapist Appears in Court.” Big Country News, March 18, 2022. Accessed March 20, 2022. https://www.bigcountrynewsconnection.com/local/suspected-pioneer-hill-serial-rapist-appears-in-court/article_d0cfa4c0-a6dd-11ec-bd4f-d7aef7cd3a80.html.
Gibson, Nick. “Pullman Spree Rapist Gets Life in Prison for ‘Heinous, Premeditated, Deliberately Cruel’ Crimes.” Spokesman-Review, August 19, 2022. Accessed August 25, 2022. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/aug/19/pullman-spree-rapist-gets-life-in-prison-for-heino/.
Simchuk, Kyle. “Suspect in 18-Year Cold Case in Pullman Facing Life in Prison.” KREM 2 News, March 18, 2022. Accessed March 20, 2022. https://www.krem.com/article/news/crime/suspect-cold-case-pullman-life-in-prison/293-9ca8be3d-5f32-4202-b628-7e1c4afb5a8a.