A man has been arrested in the murder of a 19-year-old transgender University of Washington student, Seattle police announced on Thursday.
Police did not name the suspect, but said the 31-year-old man surrendered to the Bellevue Police Department on Wednesday and has been booked into the King County Jail for investigation of murder.
Police work the scene of a homicide at the University of Washington’s off-campus housing complex, May 11, 2026.
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The 19-year-old female victim was found stabbed to death in a laundry room in a housing building on campus Sunday night, police said.
Authorities immediately launched a manhunt, and on Wednesday, police released photos of a suspect.
UW President Robert J. Jones offered his condolences in a statement on Monday, saying, “There are no words that can express the profound loss of a student.”
Police work the scene of a homicide at the University of Washington’s off-campus housing complex, May 11, 2026.
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Although police did not release a motive, Jones said, “I want to recognize that when violence affects a trans person it can be especially worrying to our LGBTQIA+ community members.”
“Our Division of Student Life is reaching out to students affected and providing support and resources to help them through this very difficult ordeal,” Jones said.
