The Grays Harbor County Sheriffs Department is just now speaking about a homicide investigation from almost a month ago, September 16th as they ask for the public help seeking information about a shooting on the E Wishkah Rd.

According to Paul Logan Chief of Special Services in a social media only post on 09/16/24 at about 6:10 PM, deputies were dispatched to the area of E. Wishkah Rd. and Bear Gulch Rd. in reference to a welfare check. A subject driving in the area had called 911 to advise of a suspicious vehicle parked in the pull-out, off the roadway near the intersection. Fire and law enforcement units arrived in the area and located a black Ford Explorer.

Upon approaching the vehicle, units discovered the sole occupant of the vehicle was deceased. The 61-year-old Aberdeen man identified as Martin Morales-Sotelo had been shot and killed. The scene was secured, and the investigations unit was called out. For the remainder of that evening and into the next morning detectives processed the crime scene, interviewed possible witnesses, and obtained all available surveillance footage from the area.

During this investigation, detectives learned that Martin lived in Grays Harbor County since about 2004, primarily in the Westport and Aberdeen areas. He worked at Ocean Gold Seafoods in Westport until about the year 2020. For about the past year, Martin had been living in his car, a silver-colored Dodge Avenger which had been parked in the 600 block of E 1st. St. in Aberdeen. Prior to that, Martin had been living in an apartment in the same area of Aberdeen with several relatives. Martin was known to operate a type of “Uber” car service driving people to the more rural parts of the county to pick Salal and mushrooms. Martin was also known to make money as a mechanic. Martin Morales-Sotelo is survived by his ex-wife and two adult daughters.

Since Monday, September 16th, investigators have continued to investigate this case. Anyone with any information about this incident or the life of Martin Morales-Sotelo is encouraged to contact the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office at (360) 249-3711 or email detectives directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..