Multiple sources confirm to KIRO Radio that Delvonn Heckard — the man who sued former Seattle Mayor Ed Murray last year, alleging he was sexually abused by the politician — is dead.
KIRO Radio reached out to Heckard’s attorney, Lincoln Beauregard, who said he heard from someone close to the man that Heckard had passed away.
Beauregard tweeted Friday:
Heckard, 46, may have overdosed at a motel in Auburn, sources say, which was also the scene of a fire Friday morning. The motel’s manager says a man’s body was removed from one of their rooms, but would not confirm the person’s identity.
Heckard’s lawsuit, filed in April 2017, kicked off a storm of allegations against Murray. A total of five men, including Murray’s own cousin, came forward with similar stories from when they were minors. Murray did not run for reelection and ultimately resigned from office in September after the fifth allegation emerged.
Heckard initially dropped his first lawsuit against the mayor. He was going through treatment for drug addiction at the time and wanted to complete his program before dealing with court appearance. He filed a new lawsuit in October 2017 against Murray, the City of Seattle, and some city leaders. The city settled that case for $150,000 in early 2018.
Murray continues to deny the allegations.
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