Update on June 9 at 2:50 p.m. – Murder suspect arraigned and held without bail
Just after 24 hours of receiving the tragic news, a family held a candlelight vigil Sunday evening for a loved one, who was tragically killed over the weekend in Guthrie.
The family says 42-year-old Vernon Eugene Wash was the victim found inside his home.
The vigil was held outside of Wash’s home. Nearly 70 people were in attendance with many sharing ther stories and memories of Vernon. See video below story.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations confirmed the victim was Wash through fingerprint analysis from the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Authorities were dispatched to the home Saturday afternoon at around 3 p.m. Later that day, investigators arrested Darion Markell Cook, 27, who goes by the alias Vegas. Cook was booked into jail on a complaint of first degree murder. Related story: Arrest made in Guthrie death; investigators needing help from public
Wash was found with trauma to the head. The medical examiner’s office has yet to rule on the manner of death.
Family members and friends took to social media soon after the heartbreaking news.
“You are my life, my love, my best friend. Please pray for me and his family.”
Several, many who did not even know him, posted how Wash would wave to them from his front porch whether they were walking or driving by his home.
“I used to ask him all the time, why you wave at everybody? He would say, ‘everyone needs a wave.’ I miss my baby like crazy,” a loved one said.
Another responded by posting, “Me and my family will miss his sweet wave.”
My wish
I knew Vernon he was a sweet heart. I met him through his grandma Betty. He will be miss greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God comfort and bless you.
Vernon, was always nice when I was in High School. Vernon will definitely be missed..RIP Vernon. I hope they Prosecute Whoever Did This To An Awesome and Amazing Person As Vernon!!!!
My Prayers for the Family and Friends. My Daughter knew him for a long time She said He was the sweetness person you could meet said he always waved at everyone. Love what He said about everyone needing a wave that would be a good slogan to put on a his tombstone. God Bless His Family for a quick and speedy trial
I am so sorry to hear this tragic news of the loss of Mr. Wash. We did not know him personally but he would wave at my husband and I each time we would drive by. I had said to my husband he must think we are someone else that he knows because his wave and smile were huge. We are praying for the family at this time of loss and grief.
I didn’t know him but I did, always waved to me everytime I passed by.
This is my uncle i will truly miss him i really cant believe this has happened to one of my favorite uncles i know hes watching over us. Always have always will.
Hello im one of Vernon sister’s, I would like to thank everyone for the kind words and prayers for our family and loved ones they are really appreciated at this I’m of need please continue to do so. Thank you
sorry for ur lost i live block away very tregic yes he always waved at ppl so kind 😉 again sorry for ur lost and god bless
Vernon is and was an amazing person. He made me laugh when he would come to my job. I will deeply miss you. You are in the Lord’s hands.
This is a horrible tragedy. Vernon was a Sweet, Kind, Loving and Gentle Soul
Always had a Wave for all that drove by his house and A Smile for everyone…God has received A Special Angel who was Taken way too soon…Many friends and loved ones will miss you and remember your Gentle and Kind Spirit..R.I.P. Vernon and God please watch over all who loved him and Touch all with your loving Grace and Healing Hands
Vernon was a good man this murderer needs death penalty my condolences for his familys loss
I’m lucky I got to know Vernon almost 2 months when I stayed down the street from him. I would talk to him over the fence, and when I went to his house just to chat with him. He was such a sweet guy that didn’t deserve to have his life taken by someone just like other peoples lives taken by someone. He was too young, but god has another beautiful souled angel. I will miss him and there hasn’t been a day when I haven’t thought about him. My prayers go out to his loved ones and family. I hope Darion Cook gets the death penalty. Why should he get life in prison when he committed cold blooded murder?! Darion Cook will burn in hell and I’m glad I won’t be hell to see him suffer!!
Me and my fiance have known Vernon for about a year and in that year I didn’t get to see him as often as I would’ve like to but every time we seen him he was always kind and offering us some sort of help even in times it wasn’t needed but that was just Vernon he had a heart of gold, It makes me sad his time here was cut short by an evil man he was even sheltering at the time, but I have a feeling we will all see him wave again even if its when we close our eyes and replay the memories or him waving hi from heaven while we wait to reunite with him. You’ll be greatly missed Vernon condolences to his family.