Detectives are attempting to identify a suspect after DNA testing at the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab identified a link in three separate reported rapes on Capitol Hill in 2014.
The three assaults were reported to police in February and July of 2014. Three women reported that they had walking alone around 2 or 3 am on Capitol Hill when a man pulled up in a dark colored Ford or Chevy SUV and offered them a ride.
At the time of the initial investigation in 2014, detectives were unable to identify a suspect due to varying descriptions from the victims, or establish a conclusive link between the three cases. However, with new DNA evidence, investigators now believe one man is responsible for all three incidents.
In early 2015, Seattle police submitted DNA evidence to the crime lab. In late 2017, the lab linked the unidentified suspect’s DNA profile to the three 2014 cases. After receiving notification from the Crime Lab, a Seattle Police Department detective re-interviewed each of the victims and obtained further details and information, furthering investigators’ belief that a single unknown suspect was responsible for the crimes.
During the additional interviews in 2018, the victims provided additional information indicating the assaults took place in the SUV in the Miller Park Community Center parking lot. One of the victims was also able to provide enough detailed information for a forensic sketch. The suspect was described as a Middle Eastern male, in his late 20s to early 30s, shorter than 6 feet tall with a thin to average build and dark complexion. The suspect spoke with an accent.
SPD’s Crime Analysis Unit has conducted a review to search for additional cases that match the profile of these assaults. None have been found at this time and no other cases have been linked through DNA.
Anyone with information on this individual is urged to contact the Seattle Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit at (206) 684-5575.
