Tacoma psychiatric hospital patient dies after assault by another patient
Apr 1, 2026, 10:44 AM
Exterior of Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital in Tacoma. (Photo courtesy of Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital)
(Photo courtesy of Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital)
A female patient beaten by another patient at a Tacoma psychiatric hospital last month has died after succumbing to her injuries.
The victim, a 63-year-old woman staying at Wellfound Behavioral Health located on S. 19th Street in Tacoma, was attacked by Elias Santos Salcedo, a 25-year-old patient, on March 14. According to court documents obtained by The Tacoma News Tribune, he punched her in the face, knocking her unconscious, before beating her three separate times while staff attempted to pull him off of her and separate them.
According to patients and staff who witnessed the attack, it was unprovoked.
“Upon arrival, officers located a victim with life-threatening wounds,” the Tacoma Police Department stated. “Officers immediately began lifesaving measures until Tacoma Fire Department personnel arrived and transported the victim to a local hospital.”
She was in critical condition while staying at the Tacoma hospital before she died from her injuries slightly more than two weeks later.
Salcedo was charged with attempted murder, but those charges could now be upgraded. He is currently booked into the Pierce County Jail for homicide.
This is a developing story, check back for updates
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