‘Person of interest’ in woman’s death is found dead in Arizona

Reporting from San Diego — A Coast Guardsman from a San Diego-based ship who was being sought as a “person of interest” in the death of a 59-year-old woman has been found dead in an apparent suicide, the Coast Guard said Monday.

Petty Officer 3rd-class Michael G. Arnold, 33, a gunner’s mate, was found dead in his family’s cabin in the mountainous community of Show Low, Ariz.

He was being sought in connection with the death of Abigail Gulotta, a hairstylist in Bellingham, Wash. Gulotta was found dead Aug. 3 in her apartment.

Police in Bellingham have not disclosed the cause of death or a possible motive.

Arnold’s ship, the cutter Sherman, had been in Bellingham for four months undergoing routine maintenance. During the investigation, Arnold was transferred to the Coast Guard base in nearby Seattle.

The Sherman left Thursday to return to San Diego.

Police late last week discovered that Arnold had drained his bank account, according to the Bellingham Herald. He was also absent without leave, according to the Coast Guard.

His body was found Sunday. He was being sought by Bellingham police, the U.S. marshal’s service and the Coast Guard Investigative Service.

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