PRESS RELEASE

A26-15817 ASSAULT 1^st DEGREE INVESTIGATION

JULY 20, 2026

At 0111 hours of July 20^th, 2026, Cowlitz 911 received a call from a male in the 1500 block of West Side Hwy, Kelso, requesting law enforcement remove his wife from the property.  The caller, identified as 58-year-old resident James M. Wood, mentioned suicide during the 911 call.  Deputies had previously received information indicating that Wood had communicated an intent to force police to shoot him.  Deputies were able to contact Wood by phone at this time.

At 0157 hours, Cowlitz 911 received a call from Wood’s wife, who reported that Wood was armed and had held her against her will.  The female had fled to a neighboring residence.  Deputies responded to the area and safely removed the female from the area.  Deputies learned Wood had reportedly pointed a pistol at her, threatened her life and would not let her leave the residence for a period of approximately four hours.  Wood had also reportedly assaulted the female, leaving visible bruising.  The female confirmed Wood was armed with two pistols inside their trailer.

The Lower Columbia SWAT Team was activated, and a search warrant was obtained by deputies.  Wood complied with commands and was safely taken into custody.  During the service of the search warrant, deputies recovered two pistols and other evidence from the trailer.  James Wood was booked into Cowlitz County Jail on charges of Assault 1^st Degree – Domestic Violence, Unlawful Imprisonment – Domestic Violence, Assault 4^th Degree – Domestic Violence, and Interfering with the Reporting of Domestic Violence.

Undersheriff Troy Brightbill

Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office

A26-13201 Missing Person Investigation - Update(Photo) - 06/24/26

PRESS RELEASE - UPDATE
A26-13201 MISSING PERSON INVESTIGATION
JUNE 24, 2026

***UPDATE***

At about 1700 hours of June 24, 2026, a Cowlitz County Patrol Deputy was waved down by a citizen in the 400 block of Delameter Road in Castle Rock where the Deputy learned a black passenger car was submerged on its top in Arkansas Creek. The Deputy confirmed a deceased person was within the vehicle. Detectives were called to the scene.

Detectives determined the black Honda Accord, Washington license BZN5762, had left the roadway in the 300 block of Delameter Road. The vehicle continued through a field until it went down an embankment and overturned into Arkansas Creek. Arkansas Creek is about 3 feet deep where the vehicle was located. The driver and sole occupant was tentatively identified as missing person Lori Moore. Moore's next of kin have been notified.

The Sheriff's Office extends its condolences to Ms. Moore's family and friends.

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On June 20, 2026, the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the family of 55-year-old Loretta Evelyn Moore (aka Lori Moore) to report her as a missing person.  Lori did not return home after visiting a known acquaintance in the Castle Rock, Washington area on June 19, 2026.  Lori had missed an event with the family for Father’s Day.  Family members also reported Lori has a medical condition affecting her heart.

On June 21, 2026, Detectives contacted the known acquaintance and obtained video footage of her leaving the Castle Rock address on June 19, 2026, at 21:25 hours in her black 2018 Honda Accord.  Detectives obtained cellular records and learned the last known location Lori was traveling southbound I-5 near exit 48 at 21:31 hours.

Since June 19, 2026, there has not been any activity on Lori’s phone, credit cards, or online accounts, and she has not shown up to work.

Due to the suspicious nature of Lori’s disappearance, the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help locating Lori Moore.

Lori drives a black 2018 Honda Accord with Washington License BZN5762. 

The attached photos are of Lori’s Honda and Lori at a local restaurant the day of her disappearance.

The Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone with information about Lori Moore’s disappearance to please contact Detective Jason Hammer or Detective Ryan Plank at (360) 577-3092, regarding case number A26-13201.