UW Student Fatally Stabbed

Seattle police said a 31-year-old man surrendered on May 13 in the killing of University of Washington student Juniper Blessing, who was found stabbed to death three days earlier in a laundry room at Nordheim Court, an off-campus student housing complex near the Seattle campus. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified Blessing on May 14 as a 19-year-old student. Seattle police said the suspect turned himself in to Bellevue police and was booked into the King County jail for investigation of murder. By May 19, prosecutors had charged Christopher Leahy with first-degree murder and a deadly weapon enhancement. ### Where did the stabbing happen, and when were police called? Seattle police said UW officers responded at about 10:10 p.m. on May 10 to a stabbing at Nordheim Court, 5000 25th Ave. N.E. The victim was found in a laundry room, and police and firefighters attempted lifesaving treatment before she was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the department’s blotter post. (spdblotter.seattle.gov) Nordheim Court is a University of Washington-affiliated housing complex near campus. Police said Seattle homicide detectives and crime-scene investigators took over the case after campus police secured the area. ### Who was Juniper Blessing? The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Juniper Blessing, 19, on May 14. (spdblotter.seattle.gov) KUOW reported that Blessing was a transgender woman and that her family said she planned to study atmospheric science while also pursuing music and philosophy. Blessing’s family said in a statement released through the Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance that they were “shattered” by her death and described her as “highly intelligent, extremely talented, and deeply sensitive to the needs of others.” The family said she had lived in Princeton, New Jersey, before moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2018. (spdblotter.seattle.gov) (kuow.org) ### How did the suspect come into custody? Seattle police said detectives released suspect photos on May 13 and asked the public for help identifying the man. Hours later, the department said, a 31-year-old man surrendered to the Bellevue Police Department and was transferred to Seattle police custody. (kuow.org) The department did not name the man in its blotter update, but court coverage by KUOW, the Daily UW and other local outlets identified him as Christopher Leahy, 31, of Bellevue. Judge Matthew York set bail at $10 million at an initial court appearance on May 14, according to multiple reports based on court proceedings. ### What have prosecutors alleged in court? (spdblotter.seattle.gov) King County prosecutors charged Leahy on May 19 with premeditated first-degree murder and a deadly weapon enhancement, according to court reporting by the Daily UW and KUOW. Those reports said prosecutors alleged he had been stalking in the University District area before and after the killing. (kuow.org) ABC News, citing the probable-cause statement, reported that Blessing suffered more than 40 stab wounds. Reuters could not independently review the full charging documents through the sources available here, and police have not publicly detailed a motive in the blotter update. ### What has the university community said? (dailyuw.com) The Trans Collective at UW and Gender Justice League announced a community healing event for May 16 at Sylvan Grove on the Seattle campus, according to KUOW. KUOW reported that the killing had shaken the local LGBTQ community. Real Change reported that student groups later held a vigil for Blessing at the university. (abcnews.com) That report said students, faculty and community members gathered to mourn her and call attention to violence against transgender people. ### What happens next in the case? Christopher Leahy remained in custody this week as the murder case moved through King County Superior Court, according to local court coverage published May 19. (kuow.org) The formal charge on file is first-degree murder with a deadly weapon enhancement. (realchangenews.org) Seattle police said anyone with additional information should call the violent crimes tip line at 206-233-5000, and anonymous tips are accepted. The department’s public update remains the central point of contact for witnesses and anyone with information about the May 10 killing. (spdblotter.seattle.gov) (dailyuw.com)