Key Points
- A 19-year-old woman, believed to be a University of Washington (UW) student and described by some sources as a transgender female, was found dead in a laundry room at Nordheim Court Apartments, 5000 block of 25th Ave NE, Seattle.
- The incident occurred around 10:10 p.m. on Sunday, May 10, 2026; officers responded to a report of a stabbing.
- Seattle Police Department (SPD) and UW Police Department (UWPD) are investigating the death as a homicide; Seattle Fire Department attempted lifesaving measures but pronounced her dead at the scene.
- Police are searching for a suspect described as a Black male, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall (some reports say up to 5 feet 8 inches), 25-30 years old, slim build, black hair, beard; last seen wearing a button-up shirt under a dark blue vest and blue jeans.
- The suspect is considered armed and dangerous; anyone seeing him should call 911; tips can be submitted to SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000 (anonymous accepted).
- UW Alert system instructed residents to shelter in place with doors and windows locked until around 12:56 a.m. Monday, when the order was lifted.
- Victim’s identity and official cause/manner of death to be released by King County Medical Examiner’s Office.
- Homicide and Crime Scene Investigation Units are processing the scene; circumstances leading to the murder under investigation; no arrests as of May 11, 2026.
- Nordheim Court is off-campus student housing near University Village and Burke-Gilman Trail; this is UWPD’s first homicide of 2026.
- SPD took over investigation from UWPD, who cordoned the area.
Seattle (King County Insider) May 11, 2026. Seattle police are investigating the death of a 19-year-old woman at Nordheim Court Apartments, off-campus housing for University of Washington students, as a homicide following a reported stabbing late Sunday night.
As detailed in the official SPD Blotter by Detective Eric Muñoz of the Seattle Police Department, officers from UWPD responded at about 10:10 p.m. to a stabbing call at Nordheim Court in the 5000 block of 25th Ave NE, where they found the victim deceased in a laundry room in building 7. Police and Seattle Fire Department personnel attempted lifesaving treatment, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
What Happened at Nordheim Court Apartments?
The incident unfolded rapidly, with the initial emergency call reported around 10:10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, according to multiple accounts. FOX 13 Seattle reported that authorities described the murder as occurring in the laundry room of the complex near University Village and the Burke-Gilman Trail. UWPD called the event “deeply distressing” in their statements.
Residents received alerts via the UW Alert system to remain inside, lock doors and windows, as the investigation began. By 11:35 p.m., updates indicated the police investigation was ongoing, with Nordheim Court cordoned off. At 12:56 a.m. Monday, residents were told they no longer needed to shelter in place, though the death investigation continued.
SPD assumed investigative authority after UWPD secured the area, with Homicide and Crime Scene Investigation Units processing the scene. As of early Monday, no arrests had been made, and detectives were examining the events leading to the homicide.
Who Is the Victim in the UW Stabbing Incident?
The victim was identified across reports as a 19-year-old woman believed to be a UW student. Seattle Police Department Detective Eric Muñoz told NBC News that the victim is “believed to be a 19-year-old transgender female,” though no further details were released at the time. FOX 13 Seattle confirmed investigators believe she was a university student, but the King County Medical Examiner’s Office will officially release her identity, cause, and manner of death in the coming days.
KIRO 7 reported early Tuesday that SPD confirmed a 19-year-old woman was found in the laundry room, with efforts to determine if she was a student or visitor ongoing initially. KOMO News noted police found her dead in building 7’s laundry room following the stabbing report.
What Does the Suspect Look Like in the Seattle Homicide?
Law enforcement provided a consistent suspect description. UW Police Department stated they are searching for a man 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall, 25 to 30 years old, slim build, black hair, and a beard, wearing a button-up shirt under a dark blue vest and blue jeans. SPD Blotter by Detective Eric Muñoz specified a Black male, 5’6”-8” tall, with a beard, in a vest over button-up shirt and blue jeans.
FOX 13 Seattle echoed this, describing a Black male, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 7 inches, slim build, black hair, beard, in button-up shirt, dark blue vest, blue jeans, and deeming him armed and dangerous. NBC News reported a Black male, 5-6 to 5-8, in vest over button-up and blue jeans. A YouTube update from local coverage described a 5’6″ slim Black man with black hair and beard. KIRO 7 and SPD updates matched: 5’6”-5’7”, slim, black hair, beard, same clothing.
Anyone seeing the suspect is asked to call 911 immediately. The SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000 accepts anonymous tips.
How Are Police Responding to the UW Student Homicide?
Seattle Police and UWPD are collaborating on the search. UWPD confirmed this as their first homicide of the year. Detectives are investigating circumstances, with no belief the suspect is a student and unclear victim-suspect relationship.
Campus police advised vigilance, staying in pairs, and reporting suspicious activity. Incident number is 2026-130611, filed under 2026 Homicides, Investigations, North Precinct. As of May 11, 2026, the search continues, with updates promised.
Background of the Nordheim Court Development
Nordheim Court Apartments serve as off-campus housing specifically for UW students, located in Seattle’s University District at 5000 25th Ave NE near University Village shopping area and the Burke-Gilman Trail. The complex includes multiple buildings, with building 7 featuring the laundry room where the incident occurred. It is not on main campus but associated with UW housing. Prior to this event, no recent homicides were reported at the site in available records, marking UWPD’s first such case in 2026.
Prediction: How This Development Can Affect UW Students and Residents
This development can lead UW students and Nordheim Court residents to heightened security measures, such as increased use of buddy systems, locking doors, and reporting suspicious individuals, as advised by police. Ongoing alerts and investigations may disrupt daily routines, limit access to shared areas like laundry rooms, and prompt temporary shelter-in-place orders during searches. Students may experience elevated anxiety about off-campus safety, potentially influencing housing choices or calls for enhanced lighting, cameras, or patrols near trails like Burke-Gilman. The unresolved suspect search could extend police presence, affecting commuting and events until an arrest occurs. Broader UW community might see reinforced safety protocols via alert systems.
