Man faces murder charge after woman found dead in car in Vancouver last year

VANCOUVER Wash. (KPTV) - A man in custody in the state of Kentucky faces murder charges after a 31-year-old mother of three was found dead in Vancouver last year, the Vancouver Police Department announced on Friday.

On the morning of Nov. 1, 2024, Courtney Clinton’s body was found in the car, along with her 1-year-old son who was alive and unhurt. According to the medical examiner, Clinton died from cut wounds in her neck.

According to VPD, 31-year-old Dariel Nunez Montero is in custody for unrelated charges in Montgomery County, Ky. On Friday, a felony warrant was issued in Clark County Superior Court for his arrest on charges of first-degree murder.

“You’re thinking that when this person gets caught that, you’re gonna feel way different, but … nothing is ever going to bring her back,” said Clinton’s aunt, Dawnetta Farlow.’

Clinton’s younger brother, Jacobi Lacey, said he learned about the homicide during a phone call from Farlow while he was experiencing homelessness.

“I received the news while I was literally sitting out in the street … it’s like living every day knowing that the people around you could be gone at any moment,” Lacey said.

Jacobi said that he admired his sister’s humor and her dedication to her children.

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While Vancouver police have continued to investigate, Farlow said she has been doing her own digging. She has asked questions and shared Clinton’s story on various crime watch pages on social media, hoping to get answers.

Following a string of recent deaths in the family, Farlow said she hopes to find closure for Clinton’s children.

“Me and my niece [Clinton] ... had talks about stuff like this happening, and when my nephew got murdered, she was so determined to solve his murder and get justice for him ... and then this happens, and I feel like I can’t stop. I gotta keep fighting,” she said. “I will continue putting pressure on her case, and I will never stop until justice has been served.”

Nunez Montero is now awaiting extradition to Clark County.

FOX 12 is working to access Clark County court documents that may provide more insight into how investigators tied the suspect to the case.