After dousing the housefire at 19312 89th Ave E., Graham, WA, the firefighters found one body. The identity of the deceased will not be announced until Thursday as the arson and homicide teams are investigating. It is in the Winterwood Park development.
The Fire Marshall, Sheriff’s Deputies and Graham Fire are still at the location trying to sort out what happened and to whom.
The house is listed as owned by a Douglas Erhardt; whether he was also the occupant is unknown at this time. Neighbors said the occupant had apparently not paid bills recently as the water and power had been turned off. They also stated the grass had been overgrown in the yard until late last week when a lawn service showed up and mowed the grass.
While speaking to TV crews, one neighbor said the occupant had been a bit odd in his interactions with neighbors, appearing to him to be mentally unstable. Ed Troyer then stated that Sheriff’s deputies had been called to the site just last week by neighbors. The site had been known for some loud parties. There has also been many car prowlers in the area according to another neighbor.
The Post will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
Today’s report from the Pierce County Medical Examiner says that Douglas Erhardt died of sharp force injuries to his head and neck. The event is being considered as a homicide. Fires were set in multiple locations in the home.
Anyone with information on Erhardt’s death is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959. A $1,000 reward is available for information that leads to someone being arrested and charged.
Pierce Prairie Post 
Douglas Joseph Erhardt Age 55, of Graham, WA, passed away tragically on July 24, 2013. Douglas was born in Seattle, WA on July 11, 1958. He graduated from Snohomish High and continued on to receive a bachelor’s degree from University of San Francisco. Douglas is survived by his brother and sisters, Diane Benitz, Denise Williams, Loren Erhardt, Marie Laughlin, and other family and friends. Douglas was preceded in death by his parents John and Caroline Erhardt. Services will be held on August 25th, 2PM, at Light of the Hill UMC, 11304 136th St. E, Puyallup, WA. In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Rainbow Center, Tacoma, WA.