A Kansas City family is seeking justice after 39-year-old Jeremiah Hilbert was found stabbed to death inside his Capitol Hill apartment in Seattle.
SEATTLE — Seattle police are investigating a homicide in the Capitol Hill neighborhood after finding a 39-year-old man dead inside his apartment.
Officers responded to the scene last week, where investigators say the man was found with multiple puncture wounds. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified him as Jeremiah Hilbert.
No arrests have been made in the case.
Jeremiah’s younger brother, Jacob Hilbert, spoke exclusively with KING 5, describing the heartbreak of losing someone who meant everything to their family.
“Family means everything — life is short,” Jacob said. “He meant the world.”
Jacob said Jeremiah was a free-spirited person who loved the outdoors; hiking, exploring, and soaking up the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
“He loved nature, he loved mountains, he loved just anything outdoors,” Jacob said. “Not only was it just a life taken; it was a brother, it was a son.”
Jacob said he received a phone call from the King County Medical Examiner’s Office last week notifying him of his brother’s death. Breaking the news to his parents was one of the hardest things he’s ever had to do.
“It was heartbreaking,” he said. “I’m the baby of the family, and for me to call my mom and dad and break the news … it was super hard.”
Jacob said Jeremiah’s roommate also contacted him and said he was the one who found Jeremiah dead last Tuesday afternoon. Jacob is pleading with whoever is responsible to come forward.
“Do the right thing,” he said. “You did something horrific, you took someone’s life.”
Jacob said if he could see his brother again, he’d simply tell him how much he loved and missed him.
“I’d give him a huge hug and tell him to be safe,” he said. “I love you, bro.”
Seattle police say the case remains an active and ongoing homicide investigation.
The Hilbert family has created an online fundraiser to help with cremation expenses and to bring Jeremiah’s remains back home to Missouri.
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