Arrest Made in 1992 Cold Case Murder of Pierce County Mother

More than three decades after a Pierce County mother was found dead in her home with her infant daughter nearby, authorities have finally made an arrest.

On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office arrested 68-year-old James Randle in connection with the 1992 murder of his estranged wife, Janice Randle. He was taken into custody at a care facility in Everett, Washington, where he had been living.

The 1992 Investigation

In November 1992, Janice Randle was discovered deceased on her bed. Tragically, her young daughter was found nearby in a crib.

At the time, the couple was going through a divorce and living separately. According to the Sheriff’s Office, James Randle originally told authorities that Janice had likely suffered a fatal overdose, pointing to her past history of using painkillers.

Relying on this narrative, investigators initially treated the scene as a standard death investigation and possible overdose.

However, the case took a sharp turn when autopsy reports later revealed there were no drugs in Janice’s system at the time of her death.

Following the autopsy results, the case was officially upgraded to a homicide investigation.

Despite the reclassification, detectives were left with only “breadcrumbs of information” and could not establish the probable cause necessary to make an arrest.

A Decades-Late Breakthrough

The case sat cold for nearly 34 years until a recent breakthrough. The investigation was revived after family members came forward with new information, including witnessed confessions allegedly made by James Randle.

Armed with these new leads, detectives launched a thorough reinvestigation. The renewed probe yielded evidence that contradicted Randle’s original 1992 account and formally established probable cause for his arrest.

Authorities now believe that Janice died as the result of a violent struggle with her estranged husband.

“This case stands as a powerful example of how advancements in technology and investigative practices can bring justice, even decades later,” the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office stated in its press release.

“Most importantly, it is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the detectives and investigators who refused to let Janice’s story be forgotten. Their diligence, compassion, and determination have given Janice’s family the closure they have sought for so many years.”