Mitchell Gaff in court today.
At approximately 1 p.m. today, a Snohomish County Superior Court Judge sentenced Mitchell Gaff to a minimum of 50 years and a maximum of life in prison for the 1980s murders of Susan Vesey and Judith “Judy” Weaver.
Considering Gaff is 68 years old, even the minimum sentence is the equivalent of life in prison (he’d be 118 years old).
This sentencing marks the end of a multi-year investigation and legal process to deliver justice to the victims and their loved ones.
Mitchell Gaff pleaded guilty to both murders and was sentenced to a minimum of 50 years in prison.
Gaff was arrested and booked in May of 2024 by the Everett Police Department for the murder of Judith “Judy” Weaver. On June 2, 1984, Weaver was found murdered in her home on Rucker Avenue after the Everett Fire Department responded to a report of fire there.
On March 13 of this year, Gaff was additionally charged with the murder of Susan Vesey. Vesey was found murdered in her home on July 12, 1980, the morning after her 21st birthday.
Gaff was identified as the suspect in both murders following the discovery of new DNA evidence. Several forensic scientists at the Washington State Crime Lab in Marysville matched the DNA evidence to Gaff to help solve the cold cases.
On April 16 of this year, Gaff pleaded guilty to two counts of Murder in the 1st Degree.
Gaff ultimately provided statements in both homicides, admitting to his crimes in open court. The details he provided were consistent with the determinations of the police investigations.
May 13, 2026
Police Blotter