Message from Rep. Mike Hope;
Last Wednesday I received an e-mail from Rob Trickler, local attorney and father of Heather Nichole Trickler. If you've been watching or reading the news, you probably heard about how young Heather was hit by a car on May 31 and then left to die.

In his agony and frustration, Rob asked me to spread the word about this horrible crime to find the driver who did this and bring them to justice. As in the past, I'm asking for your help, this time to help find the person who is responsible for Heather's death. 

"Washington State Patrol detectives believe Heather was hit by a bluish-green General Motors-brand pickup truck with a canopy, or an SUV. The likely model years are 1994 to 1999. The vehicle likely has damage to the passenger side and the passenger's side headlamp may be missing. The vehicle also may be missing a passenger side mirror and radio antenna."

If you know or see anything related to this event, please call the Washington State Patrol at (360) 658-2588 or (360) 707-1157. Or you can contact Detective Craig W. Cardinal directly at (360) 757-2008. Please also pass this information to everyone you know.

Heather's parents and two brothers need answers and justice. Heather's family has set up a Web site for people to find out about her life, the car that struck her and how the public can help. I encourage you to visit the site and forward it on to your network.

The second part of Rob's e-mail to me asked me to work with him on new legislation to address these kind of crimes. After reading my recent newsletter about Eryk's Law and my desire to update criminal sentencing, he asked me to include crimes like what caused Heather's death. Rob told me, "if they catch the beast that left my daughter for dead on the side of the road he will spend less time in jail than I did in the Marines." This is not right, and I plan to meet with Rob what I can do to help.

Another way you can help is to donate to Heather's memorial fund, which will help pay for a reward for those with information about the night Heather was killed. You can donate at any Bank of America. Thanks again for your help. Let's find the driver who killed Heather and bring them to justice for leaving her to die.

It's an honor to serve you.
Mike Hope
44th District State Representative