March 26, 2025
ISSUE 13
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COURTESY
Jeffrey Klungness went missing in 1996 and the case was finally concluded this month.
Cold case in boy’s death solved COURTESY
By The Tacoma Weekly
The White River High School boys wrestling team was among state champions recognized and honored at the event.
sports categories: competitive cheer, competitive dance/drill, gymnastics, girls wrestling, boys wrestling, boys swim and dive, girls bowling, girls flag football, girls basketball, and boys basketball. The atmosphere was like that of a pep rally at times, as everyone was having a great time rooting for their home teams and the individual athletes that bring so much pride to their family, school and community. The positive energy was irresistible as it swept through the conference center reflecting why everyone was there and how important it is to recognize the achievements of these young men and women.
A case of a Bonney Lake boy missing since 1996 has finally come to a conclusion after nearly 30 years. This month, investigators received a postmortem examination report from the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office for Jeffrey Klungness. It found that a skull fragment recovered in 2017 and a fibula bone found in the same area in 2020 were positively identified as those of Jeffrey. The cause of death was listed as multiple blunt force injuries of the head, and the manner of death was listed as homicide. The prosecutor’s office stated that adult male suspect Martin Malcolm would be charged. While awaiting the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to finish reviewing the investigation and issue a warrant for Malcolm’s arrest, investigators learned that he had died in the Thurston County area at the age of 67 from natural causes in August 2022. There are still parts of the investigation being finalized. However, in light of the facts and evidence of the case as well as the suspect being deceased and unable to be formally charged or continue with court proceedings, the case as a whole is considered resolved and closed. In 1980, Malcolm had been charged and convicted of stabbing and killing his wife, who was the mother to his child. He assaulted two of the wife’s friends by stabbing them during the same incident. Malcolm served 12 years prison time and was released in 1992. The Klungness family were introduced to Malcolm through their church as a handyman. Malcolm was known to assist around the Klungness household as well as hang around the house, eating meals, playing board games with Jeffrey, and taking Jeffrey to school. It was reported that his mother, Susan Klungness, often felt Malcolm was overstaying his welcome at the house and, in addition, she was becoming less comfortable with his relationship with Jeffrey.
SPORTS, 4
CRIME, 5
Athlete of the Year breaks a record By The Tacoma Weekly The Pierce-Tacoma Athletic Commission has been around for 83 years, but it broke a record on March 13 with the biggest turnout ever for its 2025 Winter Athlete of the Year luncheon. Students came literally by the busload with their families, friends, coaches and school athletic directors right behind them such that more tables and chairs had to be brought in and set up to accommodate everyone. It was a proud moment for the TAC membership that puts so much attention and care into the event months before it happens. “It was outstanding. It was the largest crowd we’ve ever had, and we had the greatest number of individual champions in the history of our organization,” said TAC’s Athlete of the Year Committee Chair Willie Stewart, a highly respected educator and education advocate, past principal at Lincoln High School, and namesake of the Willie Stewart Academy. “It is a delight for me to serve as chair of the Athlete of the Year committee. I do not do this job alone. I have a tremendous committee and they’re all around the room. We do this three times a year: in December for fall sports, in March for winter sports, and in June for spring sports and to present TAL scholarships.” Estimates stand at more than 560 people
COURTESY
TAC’s Athlete of the Year Committee Chair Willie Stewart praised his fellow committee members. that filled the McGavick Conference Center at Clover Park Technical College. They came from throughout Pierce County representing 31 high schools. According to the event program, there were 132 Athlete of the Year nominees, 31 individual state champions and six team state champions. Student athletes showed up in force to celebrate their own, and each other’s, achievements in 10