Photograph of the Maple Valley Town Square–Located Near Four Corners– (Credits: Chamber of Commerce)

In the tranquil and bustling town of Maple Valley, Washington. Holds the community that depends on safety and peace within their streets and residency. Locals living off their daily lives feel protected and safe within their neighborhood. However, the shocking recent events have chilled and terrified Maple Valley residents. Two lifeless bodies have been discovered, and in another different case, a SWAT team that received a call 

The heinous crimes within

On a simple Thursday, November 16, 2023. A body; hiding behind a bush; covered in trash, has been revealed with a gunshot wound to the chest, indicating a homicide. A few days later, another body was discovered with the same gunshot wound according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, The examiner has also identified the two victims. A 34-year-old female named Ashley Nichole Williams, and a 57-year-old named Robert Leroy Riley (Worley, KOMO News). Individuals within the Maple Valley community are sharing their judgment of their town. Cary Collins, a long-time high school history teacher who has lived in Maple Valley for 25 years justifies his opinion of how living in Maple Valley is in reality.

“Maple Valley is a great community, I love Maple Valley. It’s adopted me and I’ve adopted it…” Collins emphasized, “I think it’s a great place to live, a great place to raise kids, great schools; which I’m a part of. I’m very happy living in Maple Valley. Security and safety is almost everyone’s top priority for an existing thriving town. When it comes to an immense tragic event that occurs in their hometown, it is extensive and highly significant to the community to be informed of the details.
“It’s always concerning when you hear things about people; being killed, injured, harmed in any way. We don’t want that. I think Maple Valley is still a very safe community.” Collins assures.

“I never feel worried or afraid when I go outside or when I’m around my house, or when I’m uptown. I don’t feel any different than I did in Maple Valley 26 years ago. However, it’s very sad when these events happen.”
Within less than a week, another call to action. This time, in an apartment complex behind the grocery store–Safeway–as a subject barricaded themselves in 26900 BLK 242 Ave SE on November 21, 2023, at 8 pm According to local news staff. However, this story is still underway for further updated information on what led up to the event.