FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — A 35-year-old man was arrested Thursday for allegedly murdering his parents in their home, an event that has shocked this typically quiet community south of Seattle.
Mick Carmichael faces two charges of second-degree murder in the deaths of his mother, Grace, 69, and father, Gregory, 68. Their bodies were discovered after a family member alerted police about concerns over their well-being when they were unresponsive. Officers found no indication of distress during a preliminary welfare check at the residence on 27th Place Southwest.
Authorities reported that a dispute likely turned deadly between Wednesday and Thursday. Court documents suggest that the altercation escalated, leading Carmichael to use a belt to strangle both parents. His physical injuries, observed by police, suggest a struggle took place.
Further complications in the case emerged when Grace Carmichael failed to appear for work on Thursday morning. Concerned coworkers initiated contact with the Federal Way Police, prompting officers to inspect the family’s home. After knocking and peering through windows without receiving any response, police departed.
The investigation took a turn when police contacted another relative to conduct a follow-up welfare check. Upon arriving, the family member encountered Mick Carmichael exiting the property. When asked about the whereabouts of his parents, he falsely claimed they were still asleep and expressed a desire not to disturb them. The relative’s unease led them indoors, where they discovered the grim reality of the couple’s deaths.
Later that day, around 5 p.m., authorities issued a citywide alert for Carmichael, who was located at a nearby park. Officers observed dried blood on his hands and clothing, along with multiple cuts and bruises.
During questioning, Carmichael denied having spoken to his parents the previous day and could not clarify the source of his injuries. He was taken into custody without incident and is currently held in King County jail.
Court records reveal a troubled history between Carmichael and his parents. Reports indicate multiple violent incidents, including an assault in 2021 where he allegedly choked his father and slammed his mother’s head against a staircase. His past includes at least ten protection orders issued since 2009 to safeguard his parents and five other individuals from him, underlining a longstanding pattern of domestic violence.
Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the killings. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are encouraging anyone with information related to the case to reach out to the Federal Way Police Department.