On May 10, 2026, Juniper Blessing, a 19-year-old University of Washington student pursuing her degree in atmospheric sciences, was discovered dead after she had been stabbed in Nordheim Court, an off-campus housing facility near the University of Washington grounds in Seattle.
As reported later, Christopher Michael Leahy, aged 31 at the time, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder of Juniper Blessing. The case was a shock to the university community, prompting widespread mourning and memorials that began appearing across campus.
Discovery of the Juniper Blessing’s body (May 10, 2026, evening)
Seattle police got a call about a stabbing after 10 p.m on May 10 at the Nordheim Court apartments, 5000 25th Avenue NE. When officers arrived, they found Blessing unresponsive on the floor, in a first-floor laundry room in Building 7. She was stabbed more than 40 times to her head, neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.
The King County Medical Examiner later confirmed that she died from blood loss. A resident spotted Juniper Blessing and then called 911. Before that, Blessing had been seen carrying laundry to the room at about 9 p.m. and then returning about an hour later…