Anita Khandelwal, the director of King County’s Department of Public Defense since 2018, resigned abruptly on Wednesday; her last day will be October 4. She announced the news to staff in a brief email this morning, saying, “I am proud of my small role in helping build a community where we show our clients and each other compassion in the face of a system that has none. I will always reflect on our work together with awe and humility there is no place like DPD, and to have been part of it is my good fortune.” The email did not provide any explanation for Khandelwal’s decision or details about her future plans.