University Place, Washington – A 42-year-old father has been arrested after allegedly shooting and killing the mother of his child during a bitter custody dispute. Duane Dushon Moore has been charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of 40-year-old Kayla Vallee.
The incident unfolded on December 10 when Vallee borrowed her mother’s car and drove to University Place to pick up her 10-year-old son from Moore’s apartment. Concerned for their daughter’s well-being, Vallee’s parents contacted the authorities when she failed to return and could not be reached by phone.
Deputies from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office responded to a welfare check at Moore’s residence. They discovered Vallee’s car in the parking lot of the apartment complex. With a key to Moore’s apartment, investigators entered and found Vallee’s body wrapped in a blanket and hidden between the couch and another piece of furniture. An autopsy confirmed that Vallee died from multiple gunshot wounds.
A few hours later, a tip led authorities to a suspicious vehicle parked on a trail in Buckley, Washington. The vehicle matched the description provided. After an hour-long standoff in the woods, deputies used a taser to apprehend Moore.
Moore was booked into Pierce County Jail on a $1 million bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on January 3, 2024.
The motive behind the murder remains under investigation. Vallee’s parents expressed shock and remorse, stating that they had warned their daughter not to enter Moore’s apartment alone. They believed that Moore posed a threat to her safety.
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the potential dangers of custody disputes. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to ensure justice is served in honor of Kayla Vallee and for the sake of her grieving family.