Man convicted of murdering Kent woman during burglary

Linda Sweezer. COURTESY PHOTO

Linda Sweezer. COURTESY PHOTO

A man has been convicted of killing a 64-year-old Kent woman while burglarizing her East Hill home in 2017.

Jurors found Lance Gene Francoise Rougeau guilty of first-degree murder for the death of Linda K. Sweezer. The verdict came in Pierce County Superior Court last Friday.

Rougeau, 28, with a last known address in Kent, also was found guilty of first-degree burglary, residential burglary and motor vehicle theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced later this year.

Sweezer, a board member of the Kent Black Action Commission (KBAC), was killed inside her home on Oct. 22, 2017 in the 23200 block of 105th Avenue Southeast, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.

Sweezer’s body was found Oct. 24 along a roadside near Bonney Lake. There had been an attempt to burn Sweezer’s body on the side of the road.

Sweezer died from manual strangulation, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office. She also had multiple knife wounds to her neck, head and back.

DNA and home surveillance video helped solve a circumstantial case, according to Pierce County prosecutors.

Rougeau was known to frequent the Kent area, and recently appeared to be homeless.

According to prosecutors, there were signs of a struggle and a small amount of blood spatter in the kitchen of Sweezer’s home. Detectives also found a 4-month-old girl, a granddaughter of Sweezer, in an upstairs bedroom. The girl was OK.

“Linda was a fantastic person, a sweet spirit, a wonderful loyal member of the Kent Black Action Commission,” KBAC executive director Gwen Allen-Carston said in a statement. “She was a giving person. Her heart and spirit will be with us for a long time.” Sweezer was an active, beloved volunteer at her church and in the community.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation

Northwood Middle School, 17007 SE 184th St., in unincorporated part of King County in Renton and part of the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Calls about man trying to access Northwood Middle School causes lockdown

Deputies arrest man for investigation of resisting arrest, obstruction at Kent School District property