Topline: A man who died after a medical emergency during a Longview arrest has now been identified as the suspect in a homicide near Olympia.
Published: July 23, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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LONGVIEW, WA — A man who died after a medical emergency during his arrest in Longview has been identified as 26-year-old Forest N. Poplack, and investigators say he was the suspect in the killing of 49-year-old David Poplack near Olympia.
According to KGW, the identification was released July 21 after authorities had previously said the suspect died before they publicly named him in the homicide case.
Thurston County deputies were dispatched around 9 p.m. on July 3 to the 3700 block of Wesley Loop NW for a death investigation. Investigators said evidence at the scene strongly indicated David Poplack had died as a result of homicidal violence, and detectives identified the suspect as a relative and cohabitant who had gone to Longview.
Officers with the Longview Police Department found the suspect’s vehicle and arrested Forest Poplack at a residence in northwest Longview on July 4. Authorities said he suffered a medical emergency shortly after the arrest and died despite lifesaving efforts by law enforcement and emergency crews.
Detectives later served a search warrant at the Longview residence and said they found evidence linking Forest Poplack to the homicide, along with items that may have contributed to the medical emergency. The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances of his death, while the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the homicide.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Man Who Died in Longview Police Custody Identified as Olympia Murder Suspect
A man who died after a medical emergency during a Longview arrest has now been identified as the suspect in a homicide near Olympia.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: July 23, 2026 4:04 pm ET
AI generated image.
LONGVIEW, WA — A man who died after a medical emergency during his arrest in Longview has been identified as 26-year-old Forest N. Poplack, and investigators say he was the suspect in the killing of 49-year-old David Poplack near Olympia.
According to KGW, the identification was released July 21 after authorities had previously said the suspect died before they publicly named him in the homicide case.
Thurston County deputies were dispatched around 9 p.m. on July 3 to the 3700 block of Wesley Loop NW for a death investigation. Investigators said evidence at the scene strongly indicated David Poplack had died as a result of homicidal violence, and detectives identified the suspect as a relative and cohabitant who had gone to Longview.
Officers with the Longview Police Department found the suspect’s vehicle and arrested Forest Poplack at a residence in northwest Longview on July 4. Authorities said he suffered a medical emergency shortly after the arrest and died despite lifesaving efforts by law enforcement and emergency crews.
Detectives later served a search warrant at the Longview residence and said they found evidence linking Forest Poplack to the homicide, along with items that may have contributed to the medical emergency. The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances of his death, while the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the homicide.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Who Died in Longview Police Custody Identified as Olympia Murder Suspect
A man who died after a medical emergency during a Longview arrest has now been identified as the suspect in a homicide near Olympia.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: July 23, 2026 4:04 pm ET
AI generated image.
LONGVIEW, WA — A man who died after a medical emergency during his arrest in Longview has been identified as 26-year-old Forest N. Poplack, and investigators say he was the suspect in the killing of 49-year-old David Poplack near Olympia.
According to KGW, the identification was released July 21 after authorities had previously said the suspect died before they publicly named him in the homicide case.
Thurston County deputies were dispatched around 9 p.m. on July 3 to the 3700 block of Wesley Loop NW for a death investigation. Investigators said evidence at the scene strongly indicated David Poplack had died as a result of homicidal violence, and detectives identified the suspect as a relative and cohabitant who had gone to Longview.
Officers with the Longview Police Department found the suspect’s vehicle and arrested Forest Poplack at a residence in northwest Longview on July 4. Authorities said he suffered a medical emergency shortly after the arrest and died despite lifesaving efforts by law enforcement and emergency crews.
Detectives later served a search warrant at the Longview residence and said they found evidence linking Forest Poplack to the homicide, along with items that may have contributed to the medical emergency. The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances of his death, while the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the homicide.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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