Murder-suicide suspected in Hazel Dell shootings

Clark County Sheriff’s Deputies on Tuesday sifted through the scene of an apparent murder-suicide at a Hazel Dell apartment complex.

A night earlier, deputies were dispatched shortly after 10 p.m. to the 6300 block of Hazel Dell Avenue, where they found a man and woman dead of gunshot wounds inside a duplex.

Police identified the deceased as Brent M. Niedermark, 47, and Bonnie L. Eakins, 50.

Both died of a single gunshot wound to the head. A loaded handgun was found at the scene.

The two had a long history of domestic violence, according to the sheriff’s office. Eakins had active no-contact orders against Niedermark. Police have not yet said who fired the shots.

Christine Consiglio said she moved into her unit at Sleepy Hollow Apartments about a year ago — a week after Niedermark. She said she never knew his name.

“He kind of gave me the creeps,” said Consiglio, 24.

Eakins didn’t live with him at the complex, but stayed over often, said Consiglio, teeth chattering as she looked at the blue Ford pickup that belonged to her neighbor.

She said she was watching a movie Monday night with her boyfriend when she heard a woman’s voice: “Oh my God, my friend.”

Consiglio ran outside and called 911. Apparently, she said, Eakins had been missing for two days, spurring her friend to come by to check on her and discover her body.

“I thought I saw her car show up Thursday or Friday,” Consiglio said of Eakins.

Niedermark lived in unit 6304A.

It was odd to look out Tuesday and see Niedermark’s older model truck parked in the driveway, Consiglio said. She said he used to park on the lawn to make space for Eakins’ car.

Consiglio said the last time she saw Eakins her face was bloodied.

“The cops were out here often,” she said.

Bob Albrecht: 360-735-4522 or bob.albrecht@columbian.com.