Ferndale Police report officers were dispatched to check on the welfare of a man in the 6100 block of Grouse Circle. They were advised that William Koop had not been seen or heard from in a couple of weeks.
When officers arrived, they contacted Christopher Gregory Koop, age 39. Christopher advised that William was his father and they both lived in the house. Officers asked Christopher about the location of William and he said he had killed William and the body was in the garage at the residence.
Officers detained Christopher and confirmed the body of William was in the garage. Christopher was transported to the Ferndale Police Department and was interviewed by detectives.
Christopher said the Thursday prior to Easter he had gotten into an argument with his father and that argument became physical with Christopher eventually knocking his father unconscious. Christopher then attempted to kill his father by hitting him in the head with several different objects including a hammer, flashlights and part of a telephone. Christopher then attempted to suffocate William. When that didn’t work, Christopher left William to die.
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Click for more informationChristopher had started digging a hole in the back yard with the plan of burying his father’s body.
An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of death and corroborate details provided by Christopher.
Christopher was booked into the Whatcom County Jail under the charge of murder in the 1st degree.
In the past, Christopher has been found guilty of assault in the 2nd degree (2006), attempting to elude police (2004), harassment (2001), several charges of residential burglary (1993 through 1995) and escape (1994).