Detectives: Arteaga drugged, shot murder victim | News

Homicide detectives now think a jealous ex-boyfriend drugged Kim Schmidt before shooting her in the head and then smothered her with pillows to make sure she was dead.

Investigators think there are several reasons Arteaga wanted Schmidt dead. Arteaga, a part-time scuba instructor, owed Schmidt thousands of dollars, however, according to court documents, jealously pushed him over the edge.

Spokane County Sheriff's deputies said that on the same night Schmidt was hoping to rekindle her relationship with the father of her teenage daughter, Arteaga showed up at Schmidt's home; she was found dead in her bedroom the next day.

According to court documents, Arteaga gave Schmidt high doses of diphenhydramine, an active ingredient in Advil p.m. A toxicologist at the state patrol crime lab who studied Schmidt's blood said the amount of Advil in Schmidt's system would have her extremely sleepy or unconscious.

Investigators also think Arteaga may have concealed the murder weapon, using a pocket pistol inside a sock so he could sneak up on Schmidt, shoot her in the head and not be sprayed with the blow-back from the gunshot wound.

When confronted with the alleged evidence against him, Arteaga denied any involvement in Schmidt's death and then asked for an attorney.

Arteaga can't afford to post a $1 Million bond and will remain in jail until his murder trial.