A man once described by former Eureka Police Chief Steve Watson as “a possible serial killer in the making” has been arrested on suspicion of killing a man who was stabbed to death in 2017 while sleeping in an alley.

Wesley Lee Starritt, 23, has been formally charged for the murder of 56-year-old Charles “Chuckie” Levaugh, who was found dead near the 2000 block of E Street in Eureka on Dec. 4, 2017, the Eureka Police Department announced today.

“The cases we have reported on over the last week are great examples of the tenacity and dedication our detectives and evidence technicians have in seeking justice for victims and their families. I want to personally thank them for their incredible work on these cases,” acting EPD Chief Brian Stephens said in a news release. “I also want to thank the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for their continued support, guidance, and commitment to holding the offenders accountable for these heinous acts of violence.”

Starritt has been in custody since May of 2020 on unrelated charges of murder, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the death of 84-year-old Roger Mitchell “Mitch” Clark, who was found dead at his Campton Drive home that same month, and two other stabbings. (Read more here.)

Find the EPD release below:

On December 4, 2017, 56-year-old Charles “Chuckie” Levaugh was found deceased in an alley near the 2000 block of E Street in Eureka. The investigation revealed that Levaugh was sleeping when he was stabbed to death by an unknown suspect.

Four years later and after numerous developments in the case, the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office has formally charged 23-year-old Wesley Lee Starritt for the murder of Levaugh. Starritt has been in custody since May 2020 on unrelated charges of murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon.

Acting Chief Stephens said, “The cases we have reported on over the last week are great examples of the tenacity and dedication our detectives and evidence technicians have in seeking justice for victims and their families. I want to personally thank them for their incredible work on these cases. I also want to thank the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for their continued support, guidance, and commitment to holding the offenders accountable for these heinous acts of violence.”

Original Release – December 5, 2017

The Eureka Police Department is investigating a suspicious death that appears to be a homicide. The deceased has been identified as 56-year-old Charles “Chuckie” Levaugh, a transient of Eureka. His death occurred sometime between Monday, December 4, 2017 around 11:35 p.m. and Tuesday, December 5, 2017 around 12:45 a.m. in the alley to the rear the 2039 E Street in Eureka. We are looking for anyone who knew Levaugh or of any significant events associated with him. We are also looking for anyone who heard a disturbance about that time of night or has a game camera or surveillance system that may capture a person or vehicle in the area during that one-hour time period and time leading up to the event. A picture of Levaugh is attached to this release. Anyone with information or surveillance is asked to contact Senior Detective Harpham. (707) 441-4305 [email protected] Tuesday through Friday 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.