Ingrid Maree (née Rounsaville) Lyne[1][2][3] (August 2, 1975 – April 8, 2016) was an American nurse from Renton, Washington, whose dismembered body parts were discovered in the Seattle area on April 10, 2016.[4][5] On April 11, 2016, John Robert Charlton was arrested and two days later charged with first-degree murder. He pled guilty and was sentenced to 28 years in prison.[6]
At the time of his arrest, John Charlton was a homeless day laborer. He had a criminal record in six states, including convictions for aggravated robbery, felony theft, grand theft auto, assault, and third-degree larceny.[8]
Background
Relationship
Lyne and Charlton met through an online dating website and had been dating for approximately one month. They went to a Seattle Mariners baseball game together on the evening of April 8, and Lyne was reported missing the next day.[8][9]
Disappearance and discovery
Lyne was last seen by friends on April 8, 2016, and was reported missing on April 9.[1] Later that day, responding to a call from a homeowner,[10] police found several of her dismembered body parts, including a severed head, foot, arm, and leg,[11] in a Seattlerecycling bin,[12] approximately 10 miles (16 km) from her home.[13] On April 15, more severed body parts were found by a garbage collector in a different location, though the remains have not yet been identified as a match to Lyne.[11]
On April 9, Lyne's ex-husband arrived at the victim's home to drop off their children. With no one answering the door, he proceeded to call Lyne's mother, who subsequently arrived with a key and searched the residence. Lyne's wallet, purse, and cellphone were found in the home, but Lyne was not. Using the cell phone found in the residence, Lyne's mother sent texts to Charlton[4] and then called the police, who discovered blood, human tissue, and a pruning saw in Lyne's bathroom, as well as trash bags identical to those containing Lyne's severed body parts.[14][15] Following examination of the body parts, the King County coroner's office stated Lyne's death was a result of "homicidal violence".[16]
On April 18, additional body parts were found at a third Seattle location and await identification.[17]
Investigation and arrest
As the primary suspect in Lyne's death, Charlton was arrested on April 11, 2016, and charged with first-degree murder and auto theft.[2] Following the arrest, he was held in the King County Jail[18] on $US5 million bail.[19][20] After his arrest, Charlton claimed he had blacked out on a downtown Seattle sidewalk and woke up with facial injuries and cuts to his body.[2]
Plea
Appearing in a King County courtroom on Monday, October 2, 2017, Charlton pled guilty to all charges against him, including the murder and dismemberment of Lyne.[21]
On January 5, 2018, Charlton was sentenced to 27 years and 9 months in prison, the punishment recommended by prosecutors.[22]
Reactions
A GoFundMe fundraising webpage for Lyne's three daughters raised over $270,000.[23]
Lyne's death led to narratives and discussions about the safety of online dating.[24][25][26][27]
