KENNEWICK (AP) — Authorities say a 69-year-old woman reportedly abducted for ransom in the Tri-Cities has been found dead — two days after police agreed to pay the money and arrested someone they said was involved.

The Benton County Sheriff's Office says the body of Sandra Harris was found by a motorist midday Sunday along Coffin Road, two miles east of Interstate 82. The sheriff's office said it's not clear how she died.

Kennewick police say Harris was kidnapped Friday from her Kennewick home. The kidnapper used Harris' cellphone to call the victim's husband at work and demanded an undisclosed amount of money.

Local and federal investigators negotiated with the kidnapper for several hours and ultimately paid the ransom Friday night.

Forty-nine-year old Theresa Wiltse of Connell was arrested shortly afterward.

 

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