SEATTLE — Seattle police are looking for a suspect tied to the murder of a woman Sunday night at an apartment complex filled with University of Washington (UW) students.
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) said officers are looking for a man described as 5 feet, 6 inches, to 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with a beard, wearing jeans and a button-up shirt.
UW police said he is believed to be 25 to 30 years old and ran from the scene.
“This individual just committed a homicide; they should be considered armed and dangerous. If we can provide more information to the public, we will. We don’t believe at this point anyone else is at risk; however, this is still an armed and dangerous homicide suspect. It’s important we catch them and bring them to justice as fast as we can,” Seattle Police Department Det. Eric Munoz said.
According to the SPD, officers were dispatched to a report of a stabbing at the Nordheim Court Apartments in the 5000 block of 25th Ave NE around 10:10 p.m. Sunday.
Police found a 19-year-old woman dead in a laundry room in building 7. Officers and firefighters tried to revive her, but she was pronounced dead. Police said the woman was a UW student. Detectives have not said how she died.
One student told KOMO News that international and graduate students mostly live at the off-campus apartment complex, and that each building, including the laundry rooms, has secured access using a Bluetooth key through a smartphone app.
Multiple students at the scene called the situation sad and shocking.
Campus police cordoned off the area, and Seattle police took over the investigation. Detectives with the Homicide and Crime Scene Investigation Units processed the scene and are investigating what led up to the murder.
Throughout the night, police searched and secured the area and asked Nordheim Court residents to remain indoors, but that request was lifted just before 1 a.m.
The victim’s identity and cause and manner of death will be released by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Anyone with information is asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.
The University of Washington called the death at Nordheim Court “deeply distressing,” and said support is available for students.
- SafeCampus is available to discuss (anonymously or otherwise) safety and well-being concerns for yourself or others by calling 206-685-7233 or via email at [email protected]. Their skilled team of violence prevention specialists are available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., excluding UW holidays.
- Husky Assist is the UW mobile response team that provides on-site behavioral health support for students, faculty and staff in crisis on the UW campus in Seattle. You can call on Husky Assist when you or a student, faculty or staff member on campus is facing an urgent mental health or substance use issue. Husky Assist team members are trained mental health professionals who can respond compassionately to a variety of situations. Call 206-543-9331or 911 to reach Husky Assist for help on the Seattle campus.
