Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Trial date could be threatened by extension
**UPDATE - As of 3/14, the new time for the hearing will begin at 2:00 p.m., March 14, in Room 408 with Judge Hazel **
Colfax — A local family is facing another extension in Spokane Superior Court over the November 18, 2022, death of Shannon Kambitsch.
Dean Ayers, 58, of Spokane, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree domestic violence murder following the death of his wife, Shannon Kambitsch.
Reports say the arrest came after investigators uncovered inconsistencies in Ayers’ statements and evidence suggesting foul play in Kambitsch’s death.
Initial reports suggested a self-inflicted gunshot wound to her head, with Dean Ayers claiming he discovered Kambitsch in this state after an argument.
Official court records also show discrepancies in Ayers’ story to police the night Kambitsch died. Initially, he claimed that Kambitsch shot herself while he was in bed. However, Ayers changed his statement later, stating he was returning from the bathroom when the gunshot was fired.
According to reports, investigators noted many inconsistencies in his actions, which included the removal of the firearm from Shannon’s hand and his alleged difficulty in calling emergency services when he contacted his mother instead.
Court documents also show Kambitsch’s injuries, particularly the trajectory of the bullet. This reportedly raised doubts about the plausibility of self-infliction and provided zero evidence of suicide to investigators.
Ayers is currently out of jail and lives at the North Perry Roadhouse where Kambitsch was found with a gunshot wound to the head in Spokane County.
In a previous court hearing, the trial date was set to begin Monday, March 18, at 9 a.m. However, if Superior Court Judge Dean Chuang approves the new motion to continue, the trial date could be pushed back further. The new motion to continue was filed on Thursday, March 7, and the hearing will occur on Thursday, March 14, at 1:30 p.m.
Official court records state that the motion was filed by the defense because the defense needed more time to find experts to examine the evidence held by the state and to interview witnesses.
Kambitsch’s family is asking for answers and hoping the trial will continue to take place on the set trial date, as the last two years of trying to seek justice have been cumbersome emotionally and physically.
“We have family all around here, and she has 19 grandchildren. So you can imagine how many events we go to around here, and it has entirely changed our world because nobody wants to be the one to walk into him. It definitely changes your perspective on life,” said daughter-in-law Angela Campbell, of Colfax. “We are just sad the family has to go through so much. We have to prepare and wait, and many of us have jobs and lives that require time off. It brings in a lot of underlining struggles.”
Although Angela and Kambitsch’s son, James Campbell, feel the police did a thorough investigation and did a good job, they feel the pace of the trial has taken far too long as they state there is no peace until justice is served.
“We hope Washington State has a sense of justice,” said Campbell.
“Never stay quiet for domestic abuse. Don’t be silent. Talk to somebody because you never know,” added Angela. “We don’t want her to be forgotten. We want answers.”
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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