Edmonds Police investigate domestic violence incident involving hammer, suspect dead

EDMONDS, Wash. — A suspect is dead following a domestic violence incident involving an Edmonds couple early Wednesday morning.

Edmonds Police initially posted that they were looking for a man wanted in a domestic violence attack, but then called off the search hours later in what they called an “active and evolving investigation.”

In a 6:49 a.m. social media post, Edmonds Police investigators first said they had probable cause to arrest a 73-year-old man for first-degree domestic violence assault.

A description and photo of the suspect were released. Police said he should be considered armed, adding that investigators were “actively working on this dynamic incident” and more information would be provided as soon as possible.

At 11:30 a.m., Edmonds Police said they were no longer searching for the suspect, but did not say whether or not he was wanted in connection with a crime.

“More information will be released as this active and evolving investigation allows,” the post said.

Later that day, Edmonds police connected the search for this suspect to a violent incident from early Wednesday morning.

According to Edmonds PD, the 73-year-old suspect had attacked his 68-year-old wife with a hammer while she slept at their Edmonds home in the Five Corners neighborhood. Police say, “A prolonged attack took place before the victim was able to escape to a neighbor’s residence.”

911 was reportedly called just after 5:15 a.m., but the suspect had already left the home in his car.

When officers arrived, they discovered a significant crime scene. The victim had sustained multiple serious injuries, including to her head. Fire crews and EMS took her to Swedish Medical Center in Edmonds where she was treated and released later that day.

At that time, Edmonds Police were able to develop probable cause for first-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment, both domestic violence charges. They shared the suspect’s information with local law enforcement, and just before 5:30 a.m., the Washington State Patrol (WSP) located the suspect’s abandoned car along southbound I-5 in Seattle.

A man, matching the suspect’s description, was found dead on the ground below the Ship Canal Bridge where the car had been left. Seattle Police Department officers responded and conducted a death investigation, sharing that initial information pointed to the suspect falling from the bridge above where his car was located, and there were no obvious signs of foul play.

Edmonds PD detectives will work with the WSP and SPD on an investigation into the original incident and the suspect’s death.

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