Stolen vehicles, murder, arson: Here’s how the investigation into the death of Nick Valison unfolded

A suspect has been arrested for the alleged murder of Ravensdale resident Nick Valison earlier this fall.

Valison was killed in his neighborhood on Sept. 21 after checking on a suspicious vehicle in his area; according to a GoFundMe for the family, “there has been an ongoing issue of illegal dumping in the neighborhood for years, with little help from the authorities to patrol and protect the streets, as they are understaffed and cover too large of a geographical area. Unarmed and alone, our dear friend and neighbor was brutally attacked and killed.”

Two months later, Black Diamond resident Andrew Ralph Baim, 38, was arrested and charged with one count of second-degree murder, one count second-degree arson, and two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle on Nov. 15.

Prosecutors have requested a $4 million bail, according to court documents, claiming that Baim “poses a significant danger to the safety and the community, as well as a substantial flight risk.”

Arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 30.

Baim appears to be no stranger to law enforcement in Black Diamond and King County. According to county court documents, he was charged with unlawful imprisonment and domestic violence in 2016 (and pled guilty to fourth degree assault and domestic violence); pled guilty to communicating with a minor for immoral purposes in 2018, and to second degree burglary in a separate case in 2018; and pled guilty to failing to register as a non-felon sex offender twice in 2019.

He’s also facing active charges for again failing to register as a non-felon sex officer and possession of a stolen vehicle, cases unrelated to this one.

The King County Sheriff’s Office thanked multiple law enforcement arms and departments for their aid in Baim’s arrest in the press release: “Throughout this case, the Major Crimes Unit had significant assistance from many King County Sheriff’s Office Units. We would like to thank the Maple Valley Special Emphasis Team, our Gun Violence Reduction Unit, our Criminal Intelligence Unit, the K9 Unit, Fire Investigations, MARR, King County AFIS, the Muckleshoot Police Department, Precinct 3 patrol, and our Air Support Unit for all of their assistance. This case could not have been completed without the teamwork we saw in it.”

FROM SEPTEMBER TO NOW

According to prosecutors and law enforcement, here’s how the investigation unfolded.

Witnesses told officers that they saw a dark colored pickup leave their Ravensdale neighborhood around 7:30 a.m.on Sept. 21, westbound on Retreat-Kanastat Road SE, at a high rate of speed. Inside appeared to be three occupants, the driver being a white male with a beard; in the back seemed to be an open toolbox with a flapping lid.

Valison was spotted by his neighbors after the truck sped off, leaving behind a U-Haul, later confirmed to have been stolen earlier in September. Officers found several pictures of the Dodge on Valison’s phone after receiving a search warrant.

While investigating the scene, KCSO Detective John Hawkins were alerted by other officers that an older black Dodge Ram pickup, and Baim, were involved in a few unrelated incidents last September and October in southeast King County, and recalled that there was an open toolbox lid in the back of the truck.

Around 2 p.m., officers were alerted to a vehicle fire in the vicinity of 2336th Avenue SE in Ravensdale, about 6 miles to north from where Valison was killed; witnesses said the car was a black or white Dodge.

Despite the damage, officers confirmed it was the vehicle Baim was seen driving earlier in the fall, that it was stolen out of Pierce County, and that it was the same car in Valison’s photos. Inside were many partially-burned documents, including a certificate with Baim’s mother’s name, and documents belonging to a couple that rented the U-Haul before it was stolen.

An anonymous individual known by Hawkins said they knew Baim was involved in the homicide, as well as two other suspects, Bart McMurray and Baim’s alleged girlfriend.

McMurray was charged with possessing a stolen vehicle on Nov. 9 on unrelated charges; Baim’s girlfriend has not been charged with a crime.

On Sept. 23, Baim was arrested on suspicion of separate charges and officers talked with Baim’s girlfriend at the scene about the murder and truck. She allegedly said she believed the truck was stolen, that Baim no longer had the truck, and that she heard about the murder via Baim’s mother.

On Oct. 3, officers interviewed Baim about the truck. He allegedly admitted to having stolen it, but also said it was taken from him in Maple Valley.

On Oct. 5, officers met with Alyssa Montano, who wanted to “come clean about everything” and told officers she was in the car with McMurray and Baim when the murder occurred.

According Montano, after Valison confronted the trio, it appeared he was attempting to find something to keep the truck from leaving the area. Baim revved the trucks engine a few times to warn Valison he was going to drive off, and Valison fell; Baim drove over him “without hesitation”, Montano said, according to a police report.

After his Nov. 9 arrest, McMurray allegedly confirmed he was with Baim and Montano during incident, but added that he wasn’t in the car when Valison was ran over.

He also told officers he was with Baim when he torched the truck.

While the Courier-Herald does not normally report on the names of individuals who have not been charged with crimes, McMurray and Montano’s name have already been reported by other news outlets.

“The Sheriff’s Office investigation is still ongoing,” said Casey McNerthney, director of communications with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. “Cases involving those two have not yet been sent to prosecutors. If cases are referred to us well act on them with the same urgency.”