DIAMOND LAKE — The Washington State Patrol is trying to apply some heat to a cold case in Pend Oreille County.

Jack LaFond was found dead inside his travel trailer in the 1400 block of Telephone Road on Oct. 24, 1994. Police responded to LaFond's home when his girlfriend became concerned when she was unable to reach him all weekend, according to WSP.

Law officer found the door to the trailer closed and a window broken. They gained entry to the trailer and found LaFond deceased.

Despite diligent investigation in the following months and years, the case remained unsolved, WSP officials said.

Two men — Jason V. Kukrall and Tobias R. Stackhouse — were questioned in LaFond's death, but they denied involvement in the slaying, according to published news accounts around the time LaFond was slain.

The compass needle of suspicion has moved away from Kukrall and Stackhouse as suspects, said WSP Det. Stacy Moate.

"We have nothing that directs us to them specifically," Moate said.

Kukrall and Stackhouse were convicted of the stabbing death of a Kootenai County prostitute. Kukrall was sentenced to 17 years in prison for that killing and is serving his sentence at the Airway Heights Corrections Center, according to the Washington Department of Corrections. Stackhouse died in prison while serving his sentence, Moate said.

Moate said investigators are conducting new interviews of people and hoping that advancements in DNA analysis will shed more light on who was behind the demise of LaFond

"We didn't have the technology that we have now," she said.

Investigators are also reaching out to the public in an attempt to bring closure to the case.

LaFond, Missouri native, reportedly kept a low profile while living in Pend Oreille County.

"There's still a killer out there," said Moate. "We just want to find the answer."

The WSP is looking to speak with anyone who may have information about the case. They are encouraged to call 509-401-7740 or email Moate at stacy.moate@wsp.wa.gov.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.