10/12 Update: CCSO Investigating Human Remains Found In Burned Vehicle- Subject Charged With 2nd Degree Murder - 10/13/23
Update for 10/12/23:
On August 31st, 2023 detectives with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from detectives with the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a rural property on Oak Point Rd in Cowlitz County. This property is owned by the estate of Mark Melchert, Logan’s deceased father. A fire had been reported on the property on July 26th, 2023. During the search of the property, suspected human remains were located in the area where the fire had occurred. They were collected by the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office and sent to the Washington State Forensic Anthropologist for comparison with the human remains collected in Clark County.
Detectives later learned a forensic anthropologist determined the human remains from the Cowlitz County property matched the previously collected human remains from the burnt vehicle at the Overlook Dr address. A Forensic Odontologist then identified the human remains as Khalid Al-Hassan by using dental records. Khalid Al-Hassan had not been in contact with family and friends since approximately July 24th, 2023. He was reported as a missing person on August 8th, 2023. Khalid had been living at the location where his remains were discovered, 7204 NW Overlook Dr, Vancouver, WA. Also residing there were Lindsey Melchert and Logan Melchert. Lindsey and Khalid were not married. Lindsey was out of the area at the time of Khalid’s disappearance.
On October 9th, 2023 Logan Melchert was booked for the additional crime of Murder in the Second Degree while he was already in custody at the Clark County Jail.
Update as of 8/28/23:
On 8/26/23 Detectives with Clark County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit booked Logan Melchert for additional charges of Arson in the Second Degree and Unlawful Disposal of Human Remains related to this investigation. Logan Melchert was already in Clark County Jail after being arrested by Clark County Sheriff’s Office Deputies on 8/21/23 for unrelated arrest warrants.
The investigation thus far has shown that Logan Melchert is responsible for igniting a Kia Soul on fire which contained human remains. The Kia Soul is owned by the estate of Logan’s deceased father.
The events leading up to the arson are still under investigation including the circumstances regarding the death of the person located in the burnt vehicle.
Identification of the human remains is still being conducted by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office.
To protect the integrity of the active investigation, additional details are not currently available for release to the public.
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On 8/21/2023, deputies with the Clark County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) were conducting a follow-up investigation related to a missing person case where an adult male had been reported as missing for several weeks. Deputies went to the last known residence of the missing person in the area of NW Sluman Road and NW Overlook Drive in Hazel Dell.
While at the residence, a vehicle that appeared to have recently been involved in a vehicle fire was seen on the property. Deputies contacted the CCSO Major Crimes Unit (MCU) based on their observations while on-scene, and a search warrant was later obtained for the property.
While searching the property, detectives identified what appeared to be human remains inside the burned vehicle. The property was secured overnight, and arrangements were made for additional investigative resources to assist with scene processing.
On 8/22/2023, MCU detectives were able to process the vehicle and associated residence with assistance from the Washington State Patrol Crime Scene Response Team, a Special Agent/Certified Fire Investigator from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Portland Field Office, fire personnel from Clark County Fire District 6, and investigators from the Clark County Medical Examiner's Office.
A person of interest related to this investigation is in custody on unrelated charges.
This is an active homicide investigation, so no names are being released at this time.
Updates to this release will be made as more information becomes available.