In a significant development more than six decades after a double homicide, authorities in Washington State have resolved one of the region’s oldest cold cases. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office announced on October 13 that they have identified two suspects in the murders of brothers-in-law Charles Hale, 71, and Lester McCollum, 67, who were found dead in 1962 on a shared property in Battle Ground.
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Charles Hale and Lester McCollum were discovered in a tragic and brutal manner; Hale had been shot, while McCollum was found strangled. Their bodies were located at a residential site they both occupied, shedding light on the intimate nature of the violent act. The investigation, which has persisted for decades, was recently reignited by advancements in forensic technology, notably DNA testing, coupled with dogged detective work from law enforcement.
The suspects in this case have been identified as Barton Stebbins and Walter Stain, both of whom were teenagers at the time of the murders. Sadly, both individuals have since passed away, which means that prosecution is no longer an option. The resolution of the case, while a critical development for the families involved, brings with it a degree of closure that cannot culminate in legal accountability.
Investigators made a breakthrough in the case when, in 2017, a fingerprint found on Hale’s vehicle was matched to Stebbins, who was just 17 years old when the crimes occurred. This threshold of evidence prompted detectives to locate and interview Stebbins in 2025, during which they collected a DNA sample. This DNA was subsequently matched to evidence collected from the crime scene, establishing a clearer link between Stebbins and the tragic events of the past.
Moreover, detectives revisited other pieces of evidence originally gathered in 1962, including cigarette butts found in Hale’s vehicle and twine used to bind one of the victims. Advances in forensic analysis enabled them to link Stebbins’ DNA to these critical pieces of evidence. Tragically, Stebbins passed away on June 1, 2026, mere days before investigators confirmed the DNA results that tied him to the infamous case.
The search for a second suspect persisted, and authorities soon identified Walter Stain through further DNA testing. Evidence collected in 1962 was matched to Stain, who had died in 2019. It has been revealed that he, too, was a teenager at the time of the incidents. The identification of both suspects marks a significant milestone in a case that has haunted the community and the victims’ families for generations.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office expressed its commitment to justice, stating that the work of their Cold Case Team and the preservation of evidence has been instrumental in finally bringing closure to this long-standing case. “This case is a testament to the persistence of our Cold Case Team, the importance of preserving evidence, and the advances in forensic technology that continue to help solve cases decades later,” the statement read.
While the findings bring a measure of solace to the families affected by these heinous crimes, a full understanding of the motives behind the murders has yet to be disclosed. The resolution of this case spotlights not only the pain of loss but also the relentless commitment of law enforcement to seek answers, regardless of how much time has passed.
As this case is woven into the fabric of local history, it highlights the enduring impact such crimes have on communities. The identification of suspects may not restore the lives lost all those years ago, but it offers a semblance of justice to families left to grapple with their grief and unanswered questions.