FEDERAL WAY, WA – A man is facing two counts of second-degree murder after authorities say he strangled his parents to death inside their Federal Way home, an incident that has left a quiet neighborhood south of Seattle reeling.

Mick Carmichael, 35, was arrested Thursday evening in connection to the deaths of his mother, Grace Carmichael, 69, and father, Gregory Carmichael, 68. Both victims were discovered inside their residence on the 33700 block of 27th Place Southwest after a relative alerted police when they could not reach the couple.

Investigators believe an argument erupted inside the family home sometime between Wednesday and Thursday. According to court documents, the confrontation escalated, with Carmichael allegedly using a belt to fatally strangle both of his parents. The struggle left the suspect with visible injuries, authorities said.

The timeline grew more troubling when Grace Carmichael failed to report to work on Thursday morning. Concerned by her unexplained absence, a coworker contacted Federal Way police, prompting a welfare check at the Carmichael home. Officers who responded knocked on the door and looked through windows but reported no immediate signs of distress and left after receiving no response.

Police then reached out to another relative, requesting that they conduct their own welfare check. Upon arrival, the family member encountered Mick Carmichael leaving the property and asked about Grace and Gregory. Mick reportedly responded that his parents were still asleep and that he preferred not to disturb them. Suspicious, the relative went inside and found the couple dead, as the suspect had already left the scene.

A citywide alert was quickly issued for Mick Carmichael. Later that day around 5 p.m., officers spotted him in a nearby park, noting that he appeared to have dried blood on his hands, bloodstains on his clothing, and several cuts and bruises.

When questioned, Carmichael told police he had not spoken to his parents the previous day and could not explain his injuries. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the King County jail.

Court records indicate an extensive history of conflict between Mick Carmichael and his parents. In 2021, he allegedly assaulted both, slamming his mother’s head into a staircase and choking his father during a dispute where he called him “the devil.” Additional incidents were recorded in prior years, including a 2015 assault charge involving his father.

Since 2009, courts have issued at least 10 protection orders in four separate cases to safeguard both parents and five other individuals from Carmichael, highlighting a longstanding pattern of alleged violence within the family.

Officials have not yet disclosed a possible motive for the killings. Carmichael remains in custody as the investigation continues. Authorities are urging anyone with more information related to the case to contact the Federal Way Police Department.