'Broke my heart': Suspect in court for woman's murder in Vancouver motel

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A man accused of murdering a woman in Vancouver before allegedly attacking a hospital staff member appeared in court Monday.

The 37-year-old Joseph Uriarte was found nearly unresponsive outside a motel room, just hours after Kammy Pollack, 51, was found dead inside Room 202 of Studio 6 suites on Broadway Street. 

Court documents paint a picture of a bloody scene, with Pollack's injuries consistent with manual strangulation and surveillance video showing Uriarte entering and leaving the room before Pollack was found.

"It broke my heart that someone would do that to our mom,” said Cassidi Lowry, Pollack’s daughter.

Lowry and her sister, Lisa Steele, were in court for Uriate’s appearance.

"He was just calm and like, here I am in my head, freaking out, like, murdered my mom, like, just, we just want to know why,” Steele said. “I'm not sure if we'll ever get that.”

Detectives have linked Uriate to the brutal homicide as well as a vicious attack on a hospital security officer.

Following unrelated reports of Uriarte allegedly trying to break into cars, police said he was handcuffed, restrained and taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center for an involuntary mental health hold. Officials said they were waiting on medical examiner results for enough evidence to charge him.

But medical staff reportedly removed those restraints following their brief assessment — even after detectives warned he was a homicide suspect and a danger to others.

Hours later, court records show that Uriarte had “attacked a hospital security guard, disarmed him of his taser, and used it” which police added that they believe it was “to shoot, not just tase, him."

In a statement, PeaceHealth said their staff follow established safety protocols for patients deemed a security risk — and noted that their security officers do not carry firearms.

KOIN 6 News asked if they plan to reevaluate those protocols, but they declined to comment.

Pollack's family has launched a GoFundMe to cover burial and funeral costs.

Court records reveal Uriarte has a lengthy criminal history in Washington County dating back to 2010, including prior convictions for robbery and assault.

He is currently being held without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.