Every year, Seattle and other major cities have homicides that go unsolved by detectives.
In some cases they have a good idea of who the suspect is, but evidence for prosecutors to bring charges. In other cases, they need tips from witnesses who refuse to cooperate. Some investigations don't have even a person of interest.
Below are six unsolved Seattle homicide cases. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (206) 233-5000. If you have information on other local cases outside of Seattle, call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You are not required to give your name.
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April 25, 2012, Nicole Westbrook: Westbrook, 21, was walking with her boyfriend near Second Avenue and Yesler Way after a night at a comedy club. She was shot in the neck shortly after 2 p.m. and police saw a light-colored vehicle speed away. After her death, then-Chief John Diaz met with Westbook's family and Diaz pleaded in a press conference for tips from the public. Investigators said they think at least two people were in the car that sped away. But no arrests were made. There is a Facebook page, Justice for Nicole Westbrook. On that page, friends posted a baby photo of Westbrook with her father, who was killed in Iraq in 2005.
Feb. 16, 2009, Tyrone Love: Love was walking in the 2600 block of East Cherry Street about 2 a.m. when he was shot multiple times. He wasn't robbed and police couldn't figure out any obvious reason for Love's shooting. Police said he was not tied to gang activity. Shortly before his death, Love left the Crimson C nightclub where he had hosted a President's Day event. Witnesses saw two possible suspects in a vehicle, described as a red Dodge Charger or Chrysler 300, driving west on East Cherry Street from 26th Avenue. The driver was described as a man wearing a puffy jacket with a fur-lined hood, police said. Investigators said even though Love was not tied to gang activity, people who may know details about his killing may be reluctant to talk because of the "no-snitch" credo -- the idea that helping the police is not helpful, even if information may solve a homicide. In the years since his death, the Tyrone Love Unsung Hero Award has been given in the Madrona neighborhood.
March 11, 2012, Gregette Guy: Guy was a wife, mother and longtime Girl Scout supporter who worked as a credit analyst at Kent-based Pacific Aero Tech, LLC, which repairs and services aircraft windows and parts. Investigators think she parked her red sedan and planned to walk along Alki beach. The 51-year-old was found floating about 30 feet off shore of the 3800 block of Beach Drive Southwest. No suspects have ever been publicly identified.
Nov. 27, 2011, Danny Vega: Vega was attacked about 7:45 p.m. Nov. 15 as he walked along the 4200 block of South Othello Street in Seattle. His cell phone was stolen, along with his house keys and black jacket. Vaga was able to walk home and tell his roommates he'd been beaten. But he later died at Harborview Medical Center, and investigators said a pre-existing medical condition that may have played a role in the homicide. Three persons of interest, including a young felon with a history of robbery, were identified by police in 2011. But they were not arrested or named as suspects, and police have not received tips good enough to lead to charges from prosecutors.
Jan. 21, 2009, Chris Thompson: The 55-year-old was found stabbed to death in the basement of his home in the 1100 block of East Roanoke Street. Thompson's home was on a dead end of a steep, narrow stretch of Roanoke beneath homes with views of Portage Bay. Neighbors said Thompson lived there for more than a decade and that he lived alone after his longtime partner, Gerald Duval, 72, died of natural causes in 2007. The King County Medical Examiner's Office said Thompson had blunt force injuries to his head. No one has been named as a suspect or person of interest.
Jan. 7, 2010, Kaari Higgins: Higgins' case isn't officially ruled a homicide by the medical examiner, but investigators said there's no way she could have sustained the injuries she had. Medics were called to Higgins' West Seattle home and presumed from the caller's information that she'd fallen after drinking. She later died at Harborview Medical Center. Homicide detectives were not notified until a second pathologist determined her body had five different points of impact. Police believe she was badly beaten that New Year's Eve – her 47th birthday.
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