Suspect arrested after man, woman found dead in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood

SEATTLE, Wash. — SEATTLE — Seattle police are investigating after a man and woman were found dead Sunday evening in the Georgetown neighborhood.

According to police, around 4:15 p.m., officers received a call about two “down subjects” in a unit inside the Martin Court Apartments on Fourth Avenue South.

When officers arrived, they found a man and a woman dead. Detectives have since identified the woman as 55-year-old Maryanne Wooden and the man as 53-year-old Howard Hicks.

Investigators claim Wooden suffered a deep laceration down her throat and multiple stab wounds. Hicks appeared to be stabbed repeatedly as well.

Jennine Cross says she was a dear friend of Wooden’s. “She would give you the shoes off her feet,” said Cross.

Detectives booked 42-year-old John Williams into the King County Jail for investigation of homicide on Monday.

According to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, a background check revealed Williams has a lengthy criminal record, with 65 arrests in California. Within the last year, he’s been arrested in Seattle for assault. Police are also investigating him for rape.

Williams got out of jail just two days before he allegedly stabbed both Wooden and Hicks to death.

People who live at the Martin Court Apartments told KIRO 7′s Lauren Donovan that the suspect is behind bars, but they still feel on edge.

“It’s really not a safe place, it’s not,” said Jim, a resident.

The Martin Court Apartments are managed by the Low Income Housing Institute. LIHI executive director Sharon Lee says the complex is transitional housing for homeless people. Tenants can live there for up to two years, but there are some extenuating circumstances. Lee claims LIHI has been running the shelter for the past 20 years.

“The big problem is we have an illegal encampment in the back,” said Lee. “So they are, on a constant basis, trying to break in, and we have not been successful in getting SPD to do anything.”

Lee says LIHI installed a $15,000 gate to keep intruders at bay. However, the gate is constantly broken.

“It’s a stepping stone into housing, but over time, the neighborhood has gotten really rough,” said Lee.

Dana Wolk owns Seattle Stoneworld next door. He says the nearby encampment and the apartment complex have made the intersection of Michigan and Fourth a crime magnet. He blames city officials for turning a blind eye to the area.

“It’s scary for our people,” said Wolk. “It’s scary for everyone up and down the street.”

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