Man suspected of killing UW student surrenders to Bellevue Police

The man suspected of fatally stabbing a 19-year-old University of Washington student turned himself in to the Bellevue Police on Wednesday, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) confirmed.

The 31-year-old suspect was taken into custody at approximately 10:30 p.m., only a few hours after SPD released photos of the suspect.

“We’re very relieved. The number one priority is the safety of all the students at the University of Washington,” SPD Detective Eric Muñoz told KIRO Newsradio. “The fact that they were able to do so so quickly is a testament to how hard these detectives worked, how important this case was, and obviously, I think everybody in Seattle, especially on the UW campus, can sleep a little bit safer knowing that justice has been done.”

The suspect surrendered himself to the Bellevue Police Department, and physical custody was later transferred to SPD. The suspect was ultimately booked into the King County Jail for investigation of murder, according to SPD.

The suspect is scheduled for a first appearance in the King County Jail Courtroom at 2 p.m. Thursday.

19-year-old UW student found dead in laundry room

The 19-year-old transgender woman was found dead inside an off-campus apartment complex near the UW campus late Sunday night.

Police said the woman was discovered in a laundry room at Nordheim Court Apartments, located north of University Village behind the Crate and Barrel store and nearby apartments. The complex primarily houses international and graduate students affiliated with the university.

Authorities said the first 911 call came in around 10 p.m. Investigators have not yet released whether the suspect and victim knew each other.

UW students recall run-ins with suspect prior to fatal stabbing

KIRO Newsradio heard from UW students about a separate incident involving a man matching the suspect’s description inside a university dorm. A student said the man followed another female inside, and a resident assistant working at the dorm told the man to leave, according to the student.

In a text message to friends, another student warned, “Please be careful. He was following one of my friends around a week before the girl died.”

Detective Muñoz said detectives worked around the clock with UW Police, trying to locate the suspect after piecing together multiple reports.

“I know our detectives have worked with UW Police, getting that information; they are aware of those previous incidents,” Muñoz said. “Obviously, we could never predict if that is, in fact, the same person that was seen on campus; you could never predict that he would commit such an egregious crime.”

UW resources for support

UW’s Counseling Center provides a variety of options for support, including the 24/7 Husky HelpLine.

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 safecampus@uw.edu. Their skilled team of violence prevention specialists is available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 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 206-543-9331 or 911 to reach Husky Assist for help on the Seattle campus.

Staff also have resources available via the Washington State Employee Assistance Program.

Contributing: Luke Duecy, James Lynch, KIRO Newsradio; Julia Dallas, Jason Sutich, MyNorthwest