‘I need to get rid of this stolo’: Man kills ex-girlfriend and her 7-year-old daughter, tosses them down embankment, then searches Google for ‘how to beat murder’

A man from Washington state has confessed to shooting his ex-girlfriend and her 7-year-old daughter in the head and disposing of their bodies down an embankment. Kirkland Warren, 28, pleaded guilty on Thursday to the murders of his former girlfriend, Meshay Melendez, 27, and her daughter, Layla Stewart. He also entered an Alford plea to first-degree child molestation related to the sexual assault of Layla. Warren’s trial was set to begin next week.

The investigation began on March 18, 2023, when Vancouver police conducted a welfare check at the Springfield Meadows apartments after family members reported they hadn’t heard from Melendez since March 11. A friend also noted that Melendez and her daughter had been missing for days, with their dog left alone in the apartment.

Police found the dog but no sign of Melendez or Layla. They learned that Melendez, Layla, and Warren had stayed with an acquaintance on March 11. The acquaintance saw Melendez passed out in Warren’s vehicle when he returned around 8 a.m. Warren then took Layla from the residence and drove off.

On March 19, Melendez’s mother discovered her daughter’s vehicle, a 2000 Chrysler 200. Police seized the vehicle and arrested Warren on charges including tampering with a witness, violating domestic violence orders, assault, drive-by shooting, and unlawful possession of a firearm. A search of the Dodge Charger, last used by Warren, revealed blood evidence, .22 caliber shell casings, children’s clothing, and Melendez’s identification.