Five-year-old Clare Shelswell, of Abbotsford, B.C., was killed in Washington. Her stepfather is in police custody in connection with the slaying. (Facebook)

The biological father of a five-year-old girl from Abbotsford, B.C., who was killed in Washington says the person responsible should face the death penalty.

Clare Shelswell's stepfather, Peter Wilson, is in police custody in the city of Hoodsport, Wash., after her throat was slashed Sunday during a family vacation at a rental property.

The girl's father, Jim Shelswell, who now lives in Calgary, told CBC News he learned of his daughter's death Tuesday morning when his brother called from Abbotsford.

"I couldn't believe it," Shelswell said. "I didn't think it was true. I thought maybe it was the wrong person at first.

"I hope [the perpetrator] fries. The sooner the better," Shelswell said.

He said he met Wilson, 29, on a couple of occasions.

Investigators in Washington on Tuesday released a 911 call from the young victim's mother, Sarah Wilson.

"Ma'am, you need to tell me what's happening," the 911 operator told Wilson, who was screaming.

"Send an ambulance," Wilson shouts. "My daughter's throat has just been cut."

Peter Wilson is being held on $3 million bail and has not been charged.

Prosecutors said it's too early to tell what charge might be laid against Wilson and whether they will seek the death penalty, which is a prosecutorial option in Washington.