A 19-year-old University of Washington student was stabbed to death Sunday night in the laundry room of an off-campus housing complex.
SEATTLE — A 19-year-old University of Washington student was stabbed to death Sunday night in the laundry room of an off-campus housing complex, sparking an outpouring of grief across campus. A suspect turned himself in to police days later.
Juniper Blessing, a transgender UW student described by family members as brilliant, talented, and deeply empathetic, was found stabbed more than 40 times. Christopher Leahy, 31, walked into a police station Wednesday night and surrendered. He is currently being held on $10 million bail, and a judge has found probable cause for first-degree murder.
Prosecutors must file formal charges by Monday.
Witnesses placed a man matching Leahy’s description at the housing complex on Sunday night. Among them was a resident who told investigators that he followed her into the same laundry room where Blessing was later found. Police had released surveillance images prior to the suspect’s surrender. Detectives are still working to establish a motive.
Leahy did interviews with the press on a different topic more than a decade ago. Back then he claimed he was bullied at University Prep, a Seattle private school, saying, “I would be pushed against walls. I would be punched. I would be shoved.” The school denied the allegations, and the case was settled in 2014.
In the days since the killing, mourners have flooded UW’s Red Square, leaving messages and calling for justice. Chalk art and the transgender flag have appeared across the plaza.
“I am seeing notes in various languages from people who knew her, from people who didn’t know her,” said Elizabeth, a mourner at the memorial.
“It has been really hard on me, and I am sure the entire community of UW, the trans and queer community of UW,” said Mari, another mourner.
Others expressed that the spontaneous memorial had provided some comfort amid the grief.
“It is amazing that people have come together and done this,” said Silvia, a UW student.
“It does give me some hope, just the humanity shown by people here,” said Elizabeth.
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