Chapter 2 | Breaking News
1103 Words
August 31, Monday 9:00 AM
Washington Morning Sunrise breaking news shook Washington state of a teenage girl's tragic mishap.
[Aggravated assault or attempted murder?]
Those were the caption on TV. A video of the crime scene and photos of the victim flash through the networks breaking news as TV 14 news reporter Ygraine West uncovered the latest viral event.
"Newly proclaimed CEO of Samañiego Telecoms and Innovation Technology is now behind bars after his arrest on an aggravated assault. Police say 32-year-old Drake Samañiego of Mercer Island and Ondrea Echeverria of Renton fought on August 28 on his chalet near Sammamish lake. Samañiego denied the assault charges. He is currently held in police custody, waiting for his first court trial. Detective Martin Callahan said Samañiego might be expected to face an attempted murder verdict if he is proven guilty. "
"Ygraine, Detective Callahan oversees Echeverria's case? Do you have any information about the witnesses or how the violence happened?"
"Yes, Jake. Detective Martin Callahan describes the scene as 'blood-curdling.' He said the suspect is monstrous, and the crime scene was devastatingly heartbreaking. Callahan stated he was tearful upon seeing the victim's unconscious body as they arrived at the lake. The park ranger spotted the victim meters away from the East Lake Sammamish Shore Lane trail near Zackuse creek Friday night of August 28, gruesomely beaten," Ygraine explained."
"The nineteen-year-old-teenager victim was identified as Ondrea "Eya" Echeverria. This morning the prime suspect, Drake Samañiego, was held in custody. Several pieces of evidence were found on Samañiego's properties. Those were collected on his family residential house at Mercer Island and his Swiss chalet at Pacific Ridge Vista, a few miles away from the crime scene."
"What were the pieces of evidence found, Ygraine?"
"Detective Callahan team found Samañiegos t-shirt with bloodstain hidden underneath his bed. The blood found on the garment matches the victim's DNA. Also, pieces of a broken fiberglass flower vase with Eya's blood and his fingerprints. The pieces of evidence collected by Callahan sufficiently provide solid evidence to detain Samañiego. The surveillance video on the chalet could have been the most vital piece of evidence. Unfortunately, the video was deleted before Detective Callahan located the precise location of the crime scene."
"Ygraine, I recall Samañiego had a video scandal. The girl on that viral video is she victim?"
"Yes, Jake, affirmative. A month ago, Samañiego had a viral video scandal about his rumored teenage girlfriend on the internet and social media. It was Alexa de la Roche, his fiancee, who posted a blurred video of a man chatting with a teenage girl at Labrinth pub house, which she quoted as "caught you cheating." The girl later identified as Eya Echeveria, and the man matched Drake Samaniego's identity."
"Ygraine. Ygraine," called Jake, the newscaster.
"Yes, Jake?"
"Tell us more about Labrinth. It does not ring a bell."
"Labrinth is a private membership-based pub house exclusive for the elites in downtown Seattle. They are not known to the public as they operate discreetly."
"The victim is underage to be in that place. Right? What does Ondrea Echeveria doing in such a luxurious pub house?" Jake commented.
"Yes, perhaps, she must have been invited," Ygraine answered," only members and their guests can enter the pub house, Jake."
"Interesting! Continue Ygraine."
"We also found out the victim is an employee of SamTel. Echeverria works directly with Samañiego on a 3D Ominous Solstice virtual online game project that will soon relaunch by the end of this year."
"Ominous Solstice?" Jake whispered," sounds familiar to me."
As Ygraine continued to report, Jake fazed upon hearing Ominous Solstice. The sudden death of its creator encircled the tabloids, newspapers headlines, TV stations and networks, internet social media viral videos, and photos not only in Washington but also around the globe a decade ago. Jake is one of those first online virtual game players of Ominous Solstice.
"Ygraine, how did the witness find Eya?"
"The sole witness stated that he spotted a white sports car with plate number 97 DRKABS 83 at East Lake Sammamish Shore Lane near Zackuse creek half hour before he discovered the Eya's body near the trail's gate. He was horrified and instantaneously called 911. He described the victim's face as unrecognizable, and it was swollen and covered in blood. When he saw her condition, the park ranger thought she was dead. Eya Echeverria is still fortunate to survive this horrendous crime. Let us all pray for her fast recovery—our heartfelt sympathy to the Echeveria family. I am Ygraine West, reporting. Back to you, Jake."
"Ygraine, is there any word from the Samañiegos?"
"Jake, the Samañiegos refused to give details. There will be a press conference this afternoon."
"Did Drake Samañiego admit the crime?"
"Unfortunately, he has not spoken a word since his arrest. Drake's lawyer, Attorney Lancelot Javier, is currently his spokesperson."
"How's Eya?"
"Eya is still in ICU, and she is recovering from a brain hemorrhage and severe bodily injury. Eya Echeveria is currently in a coma."
"Severe bodily injuries?"
"Yes, Jake. Bruises, wounds, cuts, fractured bones."
"Ten years ago, Noah Montfort, the creator of OS, was accused of arson in SamTels. You mentioned Ominous Solstice. This virtual game was developed initially by Noah Montfort, who was later known as Noah Echeverria, if I am not mistaken. Is Eya related to Noah?
"I'll have my team research on that, Jake."
"Oh, the Samañiego's," Jake paused, shook his head," they certainly want to be on the headlines again," Washington Morning Sunrise news anchor Jake Rutherford commented." How can someone dreadfully do this to her?"
"I can't seem to gather strength to see Eya on her hospital bed. It's appalling. She is such as sweet pretty girl."
"You have met her, Ygraine?"
"Yes, Jake. Earlier this year, I interviewed Eya for a documentary of her Phantom Maze virtual game that she created. She is also the representative of the University of Washington Computer Engineering department on robotics, software, and hardware programming. She also had won several quiz bees and robotics competitions, one of which our network sponsored. Such a traumatic experience for a brilliant young girl."
"Is this the robotics competition that SamTel also sponsored?"
"Yes, Jake."
"I am still mystified how Eya ended on Sammamish Lake."
"Jake, Josie, Eya's mother, told us that they were having a birthday dinner when the law enforcement officer, Detective Callahan, informed them."
"Whose birthday? Do you mean Eya's birthday party?"
"Yes, her nineteenth birthday celebration."
"What is Eya doing in Lake Sammamish if she has a party at home?"
"That is a question only Eya can answer, Jake."
- Writer
