Kent man guilty of killing two Renton women

Zachary Damien Craven’s sentencing is scheduled for June 15.

Zachary Damien Craven

Zachary Damien Craven

A Kent man was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of assault.

Zachary Damien Craven, 27, was charged for killing his 66-year-old grandmother Angelika Anna Hayden and 21-year-old Meagan Smith. Both murders took place in Renton.

His sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m., June 15 at King County Superior Court, room E713.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The guilty verdict was reached on May 29 after the jury deliberated for two days.

Hayden was found dead in her home on July 7, 2015. She was found by Craven’s grandfather Robert W. Luxton. He told police he was concerned when he couldn’t reach Hayden, so he drove to her house in Skyway and found her in the living room.

Investigators found a single .22-claiber shell casing near her body.

Craven’s last known address was at Luxton’s house in Kent. Craven had threatened Luxton’s life and pistol whipped in previously, according to court documents.

When investigators searched Luxton’s residents, they found several live .22 caliber rounds in the area where Craven was said to have slept in. They also found three empty handgun holsters.

A neighbor told investigators he saw a man leaving Hayden’s house the day prior and again on the day of the murder with garbage bags filled with something. The witness had photographed the truck’s license plate of his truck.

Investigators tracked down the truck and learned that Craven and his acquaintance had driven the truck to and from Hayden’s house on both days. They also learned that Craven was staying at another acquaintance’s house in the meanwhile, however was kicked out when he brought a small “German World War 2” type pistol.

According to court documents Craven had previously threatened Hayden. He was recorded saying he would “slit her throat” and “kill her dog.” Initially, a judge agreed to send him to a drug-rehabilitation center, however after not complying with the treatment plan, his treatment was terminated. He had a no-contact order on Hayden.

The same day Luxton called police to report Hayden’s death, Rodney and Margaret Cunningham and their daughter Theresa arrived to Seattle earlier than expected. Theresa’s friend, Meagan Smith, was housesitting their home in the Rolling Hills for the Cunninghams and was supposed to pick the family up from the airport. When the family was unable to reach her, they got a ride from another family member.

When they reached home, the house was locked, however the back door was left open. Smith was found lying dead on the kitchen floor on a pool of her own blood. A single .22 casing was found on the floor.

Theresa told investigators she was dating Craven and that the two had recently broken up with her boyfriend. She said she believed he killed Smith using a gun he stole from his grandfather.

As investigators interviewed Theresa, she received a call from an unknown caller. She put the call on speaker phone, only to hear Craven on the other line. He asked her to pick him up at the Walgreen’s on Rainier Avenue. He said he needed her help and asked her to come alone.

Renton police officers made their way to the Walgreens. Craven ignored officers’ commands to stop. He was tazed and taken into custody. He refused to answer questions.

In a bag he was carrying at the time of his arrest, Investigators found a handmade birthday card by Theresa and her breakup note dated June 11, 2015.

Craven was held on $5 million bail at King County Jail. He pleaded not guilty to all counts. He was previously convicted for second-degree animal cruelty for stabbing his grandmother’s cat to death. He also had first degree theft, domestic violence, felony harassment domestic violence and DUI charges.

He is currently in custody at King County Correctional Facility in Seattle.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

File Photo, Sound Publishing
Kent-based Puget Sound Fire offers town hall about wildfires

Residents can learn how to prepare for fast-moving wildfires near homes during May 14 event

Chase Jones and his attorney Brad Barshis reading Jones’ statement to the judge. Photo by Joshua Solorzano/Sound Publishing
Man who killed four in Renton crash sentenced to over 17 years in prison

The prosecutor reported that he was traveling at 112 miles per hour when he crashed into the victims.

t
Three Kent men honored by state during fallen worker ceremony

One died falling from Seattle bridge; two others were fatally shot

City of Kent Corrections Facility, 1230 Central Ave. S. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Medical examiner identifies woman found dead in city of Kent jail

Cause and manner of death are pending for 45-year-old woman

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Large Kent Police response finds no weapon threats on Central Avenue

About a dozen police vehicles arrived in 700 block of Central Ave. S. Thursday, April 24

U.S. District Courthouse in Seattle. COURTESY PHOTO, USDOJ
Kent man pleads guilty to federal drug trafficking charges

Part of international drug ring that distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine

Kent School Board members Tim Clark and Meghin Margel. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Kent School Board recall group files for reconsideration

Petitioners take next step after judge dismissed petitions to recall Meghin Margel, Tim Clark

t
Future female firefighters learn key skills at workshop

32 women participate in firefighting, emergency medical services training

t
Kent pedestrian killed in April 21 crash identified

Vicente Islas Gomez, 50, died of multiple blunt force injuries along Central Avenue South

Courtesy File Photo, WSDOT
Section of State Route 167 in Kent to be fully closed night of April 24

From 10 p.m. Thursday, April 24 to 4 a.m. Friday, April 25 between S. 180th Street and S. 212th Street

t
Kent man wanted in DV incident reportedly ‘has left the area’

Avon Cobb still on the run; flashbang device might have caused fire at Auburn business where he fled

Courtesy Photo, Comcast
Some Comcast, Xfinity Business customers lose service in Kent

Vandals damage cable line; service expected to be restored by 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 22