FBI agents and the Quinault Nation Police Department are asking the public to come forward with any information that may help them determine the details surrounding the suspicious death of Quinault Tribal Elder Justine James Sr. last Sunday morning.

“Investigators ask the public to contact QNPD if they have any information related to the last days of Justine James Sr. or his death,” said Ayn Dietrich-Williams, FBI Seattle’s media coordinator. “No piece of information is too small, as details combined may help paint a complete picture of what happened.”

She continued, “At the request of the Quinault Nation Police Department, the FBI is assisting with its death investigation. “The FBI routinely provides assistance to our law enforcement partners, for additional manpower and specialized resources.”

Dietrich-Williams then directed questions about the death of James Sr. to the Quinault police. Lt. R. Belcher with the Quinault police reported, “Nothing additional to release at this time” when asked if there had been any progress made in the case. He noted that “all communications must go through Quinault President Fawn Sharp.”

Tribe spokesman Steve Robinson said the tribal office was closed in observance of Veterans Day so information may not be forthcoming until after the weekend.

As of Friday, all that has been officially released is that James was found outside his home in Taholah. He was transported to Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen where he was pronounced dead. As for the cause and manner of death, law enforcement and the Grays Harbor County Coroner will only call the death “suspicious” and the latter is awaiting toxicology tests before making a final determination, which could be weeks away.