Prosecutors say stepdad murdered family, kept journal during crime spree

PORT ANGELES, Wash. (KCPQ) -- The stepfather accused of deliberately setting fire to his family's home over the weekend faced a judge Monday afternoon.

Court documents allege 34-year-old Matthew Wetherington may have planned his alleged crimes, perhaps days in advance.

While medical examiners have yet to positively identify the victims, prosecutors are moving forward with their case assuming 34-year-old Valerie Kambeitz along with 9-year-old Lilly, 6-year-old Emma and 5-year-old Jayden all died in a fire that investigators believe Wetherington set on purpose early Saturday morning.

Prosecutors say Wetherington is a registered sex offender with a criminal past including a conviction of burglary, robbery, assault and kidnapping with sexual motivation.

Court documents paint a scenario where police allege Wetherington may have planned out the killings and the fire, and then planned to camp out while eluding authorities.

Police also say they found a journal allegedly written by Wetherington which reads in part: "One of the things that keep replaying in my minds eye is the first thing my wife said 'What am I doing' ... What am I doing? Indeed, why did I do it? Why, indeed."

Wetherington is held on $5 million bail. He could officially be charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder and arson by Wednesday.