Vancouver, Wash. (KATU) — Kirkland Warren, accused of killing his former girlfriend and her 7-year-old daughter in March 2023, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated first-degree murder on Thursday. Warren had previously pleaded not guilty.
The bodies of Meshay Melendez, 27, and her daughter Layla Stewart were found on March 22, 2023, in a rural area near Washougal, Washington. Both had been missing since March 12 and were discovered with gunshot wounds to the head.
In court, Warren acknowledged the severe consequences of his guilty plea. Judge David Gregerson explained the gravity of the charges, noting that Warren’s actions were premeditated and involved multiple victims. Warren admitted to the charges in a brief court appearance.
Melendez had a protection order against Warren at the time of her disappearance after he was arrested for shooting at her apartment building earlier in March. Warren was also wanted for murder in Arkansas and was on parole when the tragic events occurred.
In addition to the murder charges, Warren faces a separate charge of child rape, which he did not plead guilty to on Thursday but acknowledged that the state could find him guilty based on the evidence.
Warren will be sentenced on October 8 and faces life in prison without the possibility of parole, as required for aggravated murder in Washington.