The 19-year-old victim was found dead Sunday night inside off-campus student housing.
SEATTLE, Wash. — Authorities searched Monday for a man suspected in the fatal stabbing of a 19-year-old University of Washington student at Nordheim Court Apartments, where residents were ordered indoors during an overnight homicide investigation.
The death marked a violent disruption at a student housing complex near University Village and the Burke-Gilman Trail. Police said officers found the victim in a laundry room after a report of a stabbing. The victim was a UW student, but officials had not publicly identified her pending a medical examiner review.
UW police responded around 10:10 p.m. Sunday to building 7 at Nordheim Court in the 5000 block of 25th Avenue Northeast. Officers and Seattle firefighters tried to save the victim, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Seattle police assumed control of the investigation after campus officers secured the building and surrounding area.
Investigators said they were looking for a bearded Black man with a slim build who was last seen wearing blue jeans, a button-up shirt and a dark vest. Police said he was about 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall. UW police said the man appeared to be between 25 and 30 years old and was not believed to be enrolled at the university.
Seattle police Detective Eric Munoz said the suspect should be treated as armed and dangerous. He said investigators did not believe there was a broader threat to the public, but stressed that police needed to locate the suspect quickly. Detectives had not said whether the victim and suspect knew each other or what happened before the stabbing.
Residents at Nordheim Court received emergency messages telling them to stay inside, close windows and lock doors as police searched the area. That order was lifted just before 1 a.m. Monday. Crime scene investigators remained at the complex as detectives gathered evidence and reviewed the sequence of events inside the building.
Nordheim Court is off campus but serves UW students. Local reports described the complex as housing many graduate and international students. Students at the scene called the killing shocking and sad. The university said the incident was deeply distressing and pointed students toward counseling and crisis support services.
No arrest had been announced Monday. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to identify the victim and confirm the official cause and manner of death in the coming days.
Author note: Last updated May 11, 2026.