Woman’s Body Found in Eastern Clark County; Woodland Man Arrested on Murder Charge

A 66-year-old Woodland man was taken into custody Tuesday after deputies discovered the body of a woman in a forested area of eastern Clark County. According to reporting by KOIN, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation earlier this month after the remains were located on state forest land.

Additional details released by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, as reported by KPTV, indicate that deputies responded on February 14 to a report of a woman’s body found near the DNR-1100 Road. Detectives later identified the victim as 34-year-old Tori Garza, previously known as Victoria Mills. A family member had reported Garza missing two days after the discovery, noting she had last been heard from on February 9.

The sheriff’s office stated that investigators reviewed Garza’s cell phone records, which included an escort service advertisement posted the same day she was last seen. Surveillance video helped detectives identify a suspect vehicle linked to 66-year-old Andrew Thomas Brunette. On February 24, detectives executed a search warrant at Brunette’s home on Marty Loop in Woodland, where, according to the sheriff’s office, they found evidence consistent with foul play.

Brunette was arrested and booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on charges including first-degree murder, patronizing a prostitute, and unlawful disposal of human remains. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not released further details.

Why this matters

Clark County’s eastern forested regions have seen increased public use in recent years, making safety and early reporting critical when suspicious activity occurs. The arrest also intersects with broader regional concerns about missing persons cases and the vulnerability of individuals engaged in precarious housing or economic situations. While authorities have disclosed no connections to other cases, the circumstances underscore the importance of transparent investigative processes and timely public communication.

Sources

KOIN: Body discovered in Washington woods leads to arrest of 66-year-old man

KPTV: Man arrested for murder after woman’s body found in forested area of Clark County