Full Breakdown
Seattle Laundry Room Murder: Christopher Leahy Charged in Death of Juniper Blessing
5/26/2026, 1:46:19 PM
Fatal Stabbing in Seattle Laundry Room
On May 10, 2024, at about 10 p.m., Christopher Leahy, 31, entered the laundry room of Nordheim Court student housing near the University of Washington. Inside, 19-year-old Juniper Blessing, a transgender student, sat on the floor beside a dryer. Surveillance footage later showed Leahy stabbing Blessing 40 times before unplugging the camera. Another student entered moments later, found Blessing injured, and called 911. Leahy was not enrolled at the university.
Timeline of Events
- May 8-9, 2024 – Police say Leahy tried to enter several private homes in Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood and another campus building.
- May 10, 2024, 9:45 p.m. – Leahy first appears in the Nordheim Court laundry room, looks into the camera, then leaves.
- May 10, 2024, 10:00 p.m. – He returns, confronts Blessing, stabs her 40 times, and unplugs the camera.
- May 10, 2024, shortly after – A nearby student discovers the victim and calls 911.
- May 12, 2024 – Leahy surrenders after police release stills from the footage.
- Late May 2024 – A court hearing is postponed for additional mental-health assessments requested by his attorney.
Official Statements & Responses
King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Casey McNerthney said surveillance video confirms Leahy’s attempts to enter private homes and a campus building before the homicide and that he has been charged with first-degree murder. The office noted his voluntary surrender after the footage was released. Juniper Blessing’s family, speaking through the Human Rights Alliance, expressed profound grief, described Blessing as intelligent, talented and empathetic, and called the killing “unspeakable violence” near the university.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Police indicate that there were attempts by the defendant to try to enter private homes in Ravenna in the days before the homicide,” — Casey McNerthney, King County Prosecutor
- “There was at least one other campus building that police say he attempted to get into before the death of Juniper on the 10th,” — Casey McNerthney, King County Prosecutor
- “appears to follow the path of the power cord with his eyes and head from the camera around the wall above the doorway,” — KOMO-TV
- “Our family has been shattered by the loss of our child, Juniper Blessing, to an act of unspeakable violence near the University of Washington campus in Seattle,” — Juniper Blessing’s family, Human Rights Alliance
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources do not reveal Leahy’s motive, any prior relationship with Blessing, or whether authorities have classified the crime as a hate crime. Attempted home entries are described only as “several,” and details of the defense-requested mental-health evaluation remain unavailable, leaving key aspects of the case unclear.
Next Legal Steps
The early-May court appearance was postponed to allow additional mental-health assessments requested by Leahy’s attorney. Prosecutors plan a first-degree murder trial after the evaluations are completed. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will issue updates as the case advances.
