Stains on Suspect's Shoes Key to Arrest in South Kitsap Murder

South Kitsap Murder Suspect in Court

Daniel Mustard, 17, appears in adult court.

— When Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department detectives interviewed Daniel James Mustard on Sunday at the scene of a homicide, they noted he was becoming “increasing(ly) nervous.” They then asked the 17-year-old if they could see his shoes.

A reddish-brown stain — which investigators said looked like blood — covered the outside sole of the right shoe, detectives said. Investigators said they later found similar reddish-brown stains on shorts in his bedroom, and a friend of the 17-year-old suspect told them Mustard admitted to the killing.

Within hours of the death of 87-year-old Ruby Andrews in Colchester, detectives had arrested Mustard.

The 17-year-old appeared in Kitsap County Superior Court on Monday on allegations he stabbed Andrews to death in an apparent robbery. On the advice of deputy prosecutor Andy Anderson, who said “mental-health issues” had been raised as a possible issue in the case, Judge Theodore Spearman ordered bail set at $1 million.

Mustard is being held at the Kitsap County Juvenile Detention Center. Though one month from his 18th birthday, Mustard will be tried as an adult under Washington law. Prosecutors expect to charge him with first-degree murder on Wednesday.

Andrews was found dead with multiple stab wounds. A Cadillac, a gun, jewelry and some $100 bills stored in a picture frame had been taken from the home, according to the sheriff’s office investigation.

A neighbor saw someone leaving the home in a car around 4:30 p.m., detectives said. He pulled into a nearby driveway that serves several homes, one of which is the Mustard’s residence. The car left a short while later.

Mustard, the son of a Bremerton Fire Department lieutenant, returned to the area at about 6:43 p.m., detectives said. Detectives asked to speak with him and discovered that he was carrying a pocket knife and that his hand “was shaking quite a bit.”

Mustard said he had been with a friend at the time the crime took place. He also asked them if detectives thought “he did it.” He claimed his father had told him about the homicide.

Detectives then found “reddish-brown stains” on his shoes that appeared to be blood. He denied any involvement, however.

Detectives contacted the friend Mustard said he had been with at the time of the killing. The friend told them Mustard had picked him up in a Cadillac.

Deputies found the Cadillac at the Mariner’s Glen apartment complex and could see a revolver inside the car.

Detectives said Mustard’s friend told them the suspect had shown him the gun and told him he’d killed Andrews and taken her car.

When detectives served the search warrant on Mustard’s home, they found shorts with what appeared to be blood on them.

Deputies had been at Mustard’s home on March 25 for another incident that involved knives, according to Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office reports. In that incident Mustard was “out of control,” and “had displayed a couple of knives,” detectives wrote.

Mustard had apparently “become agitated,” and had stopped taking medications for a mental illness, Kitsap County Sheriff’s reports of the incident said. His family had called 911 when he grabbed knives.

He was eventually detained by deputies and was taken to Harrison Medical Center for a mental health evaluation, reports said.

Court documents filed for Monday’s appearance also suggested that Mustard may have spent time in an outpatient drug treatment program.

Mustard will likely face murder charges Wednesday, according to Tim Drury, the Kitsap County Prosecutor’s Office’s felony division chief.

“At this point we are looking at charging first-degree felony murder in this case,” Drury said. “That’s where we’re headed.”


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Comments » 61

justjunkemail#265184 writes:

Tis a said commentary on life, one taken away violently, the other thrown away stupidly. May the families of both find a way to get through this without all the vicious comments that are sure to come.

OlallaF writes:

How incredibly sad.

bobk writes:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

bigred writes:

i hope he goes to jail for a long time.

irmarcus#216992 writes:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

donger writes:

If you come at someone with a knife who's armed, the right weapon will most definitely deter you... or stop you cold.

raidermatt writes:


Ain't the time or place troll.

BioProf writes:

I agree with justjunkemail. What a terrible tragedy for both families, their friends, and neighbors.

2barkers (Inactive) writes:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

fphman#211722 writes:

hurry get out your pitchforks and torches.. how about we leave these two families alone and grieve. its sad that this happened, and justice will come. How would you feel?

Sierra writes:

If I recall my 1L classes correctly the trial comes before the hanging. Gonna be hard to come up with a jury for this one, if y'all are any indication.

getaclue (Inactive) writes:

"How would you feel?"
I'd be disgusted and mad as hell if my brother, son, uncle, grandson killed an 87 year old lady. And I'd want him to get the death penalty when he was found guilty. Matter of fact, I'd volunteer to be the executioner.

fphman#211722 writes:

Sure you would guy

getaclue (Inactive) writes:


Good thing this is just a blog (where opinions are welcome) and not a jury room then, isn't it?

fphman#211722 writes:

so so angry. here take some vailum.

womanoffaith writes:

What a sad commentary on a young life. My heart goes out to the family of the victim, as well as the family of the young man who'allegedly' did it. I agree with those who said to let the families alone to grieve. Who are we to judge? That is what the court system is for it's not up to us. It will be hard to come up w/ a jury in this county all things considered...the young man will get his and later on. Godspeed Mrs. Andrews and deepest sympathy to your family. :o(

getaclue (Inactive) writes:

Judging people is a normal part of life. We all do it. And those that say they don't are liars.

Mustang_Rider writes:

How very very scary! A SKHS student who killed an innocent victim over what? A few dollars? A car? Why? What could one be thinking that it is worth killing an innocent person over something you could buy? I just don't get it. My prayers and thoughts to the Andrews family and to the young man's family who, if he's found guilty, may never see their son again as he rots in h#@$!!

Whatever writes:

I hope he is tried as an adult, and does adult time for LIFE!!!!

Suquamish writes:

Don't worry the prosecuters office will mess it up somehow.

irmarcus#216992 writes:

Go ahead and censor me again but the unheard of cruelty to kill someone that is 87 years old when you are young and strong and can take anything you want without a struggle, this guy is special.

Greg_Iverson writes:

"Deputies had been at Mustard’s home on March 25 for another incident that involved knives, according to Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office reports. In that incident Mustard was “out of control,” and “had displayed a couple of knives,”. As a result of that incident Daniel James Mustard was taken to " Harrison Medical Center for a mental health evaluation."

Another case of system failure? Why wasn't he locked up in a mental hospital?

junkinmytrunk writes:

Condolences to the Andrews family, Ruby will be missed. As a neighbor on Puget dr. It is a great tragedy all the way around. I am sure that The Andrews family will never be the same. As for the family of the 17 yr. old they must be devistated. I cannot understand how or why anyone could hurt an elderly women who was doing no one any harm and to be so brutal. Just seems so sensless. For the record, just so the Sun gets it right We live in Manchester not Cholchester. Sorry to be petty, but Cholchester is a Street.

getaclue (Inactive) writes:

"Posted by fphman on April 6, 2009 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

so so angry. here take some vailum."

Sounds to me like you're okay with an innocent 87 year old woman being brutally murdered in her own home by a neighbor kid. I'm not. Yes, I'm mad as hell. I'd rather be mad as hell, then complacent like you. It's people like you who turn the other way, that are just as dangerous to our society as the criminals.

justjunkemail#265184 writes:

It seems those who do the greatest harm to others are those who are angry or mad at something or someone, so getaclue, getalife and let the legal system do its job an let the families grieve and deal with this without trying to stir others into making more rabid comments.

Six_String_J writes:

I thought things like this didn't happen in Manchester. I would hate to see this kid not have to pay for his crime, but I also see a failure in the system. It seems he needed help. When he didn't get it, look what happened. And if it is determined that he knew exactly what he was doing at the time, put him away for life and throw away the key. We don't need that out on our streets.

MadKat writes:

someone is asking, why wasn't he locked up in a mental hospital?? Well, as someone who has known a few young people whose parents have TRIED to get them locked up in a mental hospital, I can say that the system is not easy to crack. Neither of the troubled teens I am thinking of right now, ever spent more than two consecutive days in the hospital, despite their parents efforts and their fears for their own safety.

With the state budget cuts happening, you can bet that it will become even more difficult to get someone like this, the help they need, earlier.

I'm not going to judge the family...only to say that this is a very sad situation for the defendant's and the victim's families. What a horrible crime and a sad end to the life of the woman, and a sad beginning of a life for this young man. I hope he gets the maximum sentence, and maybe some help but something tells me that anyone who would stab an elderly person to death, is maybe too far gone already.

icecreamlvr writes:

my heart goes out to both families here.

jlharless#210637 writes:

I have not seen Daniel for several years, but he was once a nice little boy with a kind, loving Christian family. I don't know what went wrong, but the foolish guessing and finger-pointing help no one.

My prayers are with both families for an unimaginable tragedy and a tough future.

classycocker writes:

There probably won't be a jury. What probably will happen is a plea bargain with life in prison, or life plus 25 years, then parole. A mental health defense is already being laid so justice for the victim is a long way off. A long road ahead for the victim's and the perpetrators families. All for WHAT, a few hundred dollars, and a thrill? If nothing else this should wake up some people that have been letting their kids out of their sight, and their doors unlocked. It is a cold world,and the murderers could be as close as next door and it is time to wake up.

Samm writes:

I know the Mustard's and they are a kind, loving family of good people. Sadly, mental health issues can affect anyone, no matter how well off or decent they are.

My heart goes out to both families of this trajedy. Their lives will forever be scarred.

navystgwife writes:

Everyone should think about the family of these people. Please have a heart and quit making comments about the case. Focus on what this woman's husband and the boy's parents are going through. You cannot blame the actions of an almost 18 year old on his parents. Both families are in my prayers.

Wildcat72 writes:

My heart very much goes out to both families, and I hope they each receive much help and support for what will be a very long difficult ordeal.

I also think it is also very okay for others to be angry about this - don't they have a right to their feelings too?

wolfreak1#209633 writes:

Once again, pathetic Kitsap Witch Hunters, selfish and "united" in "protecting" your selves without understanding "INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY"...

Shame, shame... you all who have just hung this young man without fair trial!

NOT redacting heart-felt-ness to the victim's family, at all...God bless them, this is a horrible time for them...

sle2005 writes:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

sadbuttruth writes:

I think most of the venom in this blog comes from 2 types of people.
A. You are outraged at the prospect that a kid brutally attacked a harmless elderly woman. (Good for you!)

B. You are outraged that we will now have to watch for 2 years as this nut job has his public defender (paid for by us) send him off to western state for 5 mental health and competency evals. Followed by a trial after the 30th continuance.

I myself fall into both categories. From my experience crazy people do irradicle things for the purpose of being crazy... not for a few dollars.

just_me_nor writes:

so, buffchick. you know for a fact that it was the hospital who failed to do their "job" and that "this woman", as you so coldly portray her, would still be alive otherwise? you mention family, school and church. just what do you think the "job" of these institutions are expected to do? when did the involvement of drugs enter into the life of this menace to society?

daveyd007 writes:

I'm sorry buffchick, that last sentence was nothing close to comforting. I'll bet you're not aware that there are people who are weeping, that have never met this elderly lady.

When my family thinks about Mrs. Andrews, thoughts about the loss of our grandmother surface. We think about the impact of how three generations have tragically been devastated.

Somewhere out there, are grandchildren who don't have a grandmother anymore, brothers and sisters who lost their mother, and a husband who faithfully loved his wife is painfully missing her now.

Blaming drugs and the wrong crowd is a miserable plea for immunity. It's called taking responsibility of your own actions.

IF convicted, I hope he gets the maximum sentence. He doesn't belong back into society. He has lost his chance before it even began.

daveyd007 writes:

To the Andrews Family- Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel. We are thinking of you during this difficult time. May the love of those around you help you through the days ahead.

daisydog writes:


pcat writes:

1.Did he do it?
2.If found guilty by a jury of his peers,punishment of death within 30 days.
3.No prison,no mental defense,no exceptions.
(The USA is the laughing stock of the rest of the world in how we treat murderers and rapist)

USA writes:

Further proof that we have to do a better job at getting through to our kids what drugs can do to their life as well as their own famlies and potentialy that of your neighbors.
You can raise your kids in the best of environment but it doesn't mean that we all turn out perfect.
Every time I thought of the tragedy yesterday I prayed for all the family's involved. God is with you.

kitsap_peninsula_mom writes:

The idea that people are not allowed to be outraged when outrage is the appropriate reaction is appalling. There is a time to mourn and a time for anger. And sometimes those emotions weave in and out of each other.

Anger is a emotion. It's what you do with that anger that can be bad or good.

We have gotten to the the point in our society that we are supposed to see the 'aggressor's' perspective and allow for excuses for behavior that is socially, morally, and lawfully unacceptable.

I mourn for Ruby Andrew's husband and family. I am outraged that an innocent victim suffered so violently at the hands of a violent coward. But I understand that Mustard's family is probably devestated and probably justifibly very angry at him because their son did a horrible act which killed an innocent. I know I would feel those things if one of my children did something so cruel.

It is appropriate to be extraordinarily angry at Mustard, and feel compassion for the other family members who through no fault of their own are dragged into this mess. But don't tell us not to feel these emotions. It is inappropriate to be biase' about this incident.

peanutbutter715#209186 writes:

Desensitize... That is the word I use to describe some of the teens I see out there. It is sad to think that a young person could kill someone. Why would someone do this! Is it because they play violent games for over half of their day, or is it because of peer pressure or maybe its some loose wire that they are born with. I see these kids and it makes me so sad. Their world is so void of feelings that just looking at them and you can see the empty eyes. Some teens are so angry all the time that they don't even know why anymore. I hope that these two families can find some peace in a good place...RIP

lynnwa writes:

Sad that he has a history of mental illness. I feel for both famileis in this tradgedy.

classycocker writes:

Drug induced mental illness. Now two families have been devastated, and the community is hurting too. People are uneasy and upset. The family of the suspect is hurting just as much as the Andrews family. One senseless and selfish act has ruined the lives of a lot of people and there is only one person responsible. This will drag on and on, as these things do, and I pray that the families will have the strength to get through it. Our everyday lives are such a struggle that adding devastating events such as they are dealing with, could be overwelming. Please let's do what we can to help these families, as they are victims too.

Punkinhead writes:

Woulda, coulda, says this kid had a history of mental illness for which he was on drugs for. He decided to stop taking them. HE alone is responsible for that. No one else.

Quit making sense. You will ruin the reputation of blogs everywhere!

brem_vet writes:

My heart goes out to the families involved in this tragedy - the victim's family AND the suspect's family as well.

When I read that his hand was shaking, it made me wonder if he was on drugs or had a guilty conscience. I hoped that it was the guilty conscience and that he actually feels remorse about what he allegedly did.

As for being hard to find a jury, that is an understatement. I find it hard to believe he is innocent until proven guilty as I'm sure others do too.

As for the last sentence by buffchick, I too hope the younger brother still going to high school isn't tormented by others because of his older brother's actions.

God, please hold all those involved and comfort them.

ss427 writes:

So sad. My mother lives alone and is elderly. Folks like her can and do avoid people knocking on the door. That can lead to disaster. Teenage burglars knock on the door. If no one answers they go to the back and break in. (it's as if they think they are the first ones who got the idea) As they're doing their 'deed' inside the house they meet the resident. Panic ensues and the victim is assaulted. I've know of many such cases. One old woman was murdered by a boy who hit her with her TV set he was carrying out of the house.
Lesson I drum into my mothers head on a regular basis: ALWAYS ANSWER THE DOOR! Then note who is there. If it's a teen boy with no good reason to visit, call 911 ASAP.

As a former police detective, here's some basic stuff: A report of a residential crime comes across our desk. First step: check the 'Directory' and records for all teen boys living within two blocks, 80% chance one of them did the deed.

JSW1939 writes:

How ironic and tragic that the young man received a mental health evaluation shortly before the murder. He was apparently seen and released rather than detained, probably because there is a CRITICAL BED SHORTAGE in this state for mental health beds.

In fact Washington is at the bottom of the country in number of abailable mental health beds. The tanking economy and government budget shortfalls will not help remedy the situation.

But, how much more ironic it is that Harrison Medical Center is closing its mental health unit while the state is in financial crisis, and there is such a critical shortage of mental health services.

In my humble opinion, Harrison owes it to the community to use its psychiatric unit to help alleviate this critical bed shortage for mental health patients.
