Update: Body found at 35th & SW Barton

Original post 10:04 PM: We’re getting preliminary word of an incident at the intersection of 35th & SW Barton that appears to involve a fatality. We have someone on the scene and will be updating with more information as it develops.

10:31 PM UPDATE: Seattle Police now tell us that around 9:30 tonight passersby reported a man on the ground near the bus stop at the northeast corner of 35th & Barton. Paramedics responded to the location and made attempts to revive him but they were unsuccessful. Police are still there waiting for investigators to process the scene. They said the man did not appear to be homeless and, though a quantity of alcohol was found with the body, it was too soon to make any determination as to what role drugs or alcohol may have played in the man’s death.

newnative August 28, 2010 (10:40 pm)

So, this wasn’t a collision?

christopherboffoli August 28, 2010 (10:51 pm)

Initial reports suggested that it may have been a vehicle vs. a pedestrian. But police subsequently told us that the cars stopped at the scene were of the people who noticed the man lying on the ground and called it in. The body was apparently on the sidewalk when they arrived, not in the street, and police didn’t indicate any obvious signs of trauma. Traffic in all directions is unaffected.

Mookie August 28, 2010 (10:54 pm)

Sad scene.

Jarman August 29, 2010 (12:23 am)

Wow scary

Wendy August 29, 2010 (9:24 am)

Thanks WS Blog! We might last night right about 10pm. Saw the white sheet over the body and all the emergency personnel. Wondered what was going on, as there were no signs of an accident or anything of that sort. There was one vehicle on the scene but per your story, I am guessing was the one who called it in. I wonder if we will get an update as the story unfolds…

jay August 29, 2010 (10:01 am)

It seems sad that there was need to note that this person “did not appear to be homeless,” as if being homeless might somehow explain or justify dying alone on a city street. I know that it probably is relevant….but I’d love for it not to be.

WSB August 29, 2010 (10:07 am)

Jay – we wish it weren’t, as well. That’s some of the info our team on the story did manage to gather – and since there may not be much else available before Monday, it seemed important to share whatever police could tell us. We have also covered a couple of cases in recent months where people did die alone on a city street (Junction and Triangle) and we were at least glad to have been able to note them … people who knew and/or loved those who had died, no matter how difficult the circumstances, later found the items and posted comments … Again, as soon as we get more info, probably not till Monday, we’ll have a followup – TR

sp August 29, 2010 (10:44 am)

I was at that exact spot last night around 8:45pm and did not see anyone lying there. It definitely happened after that, how awful.

Diane August 29, 2010 (10:45 am)

wow; I drove north through this intersection an hour prior, coming home from babysitting job in south end; did not see anything; very glad to hear that people stopped to help

toodles August 29, 2010 (12:39 pm)

It is a very scary. I’m not leaving my house until WSBlog says it safe to do so.

Katie August 29, 2010 (1:58 pm)

My boyfriend and I were the ones to find him. The man was lying over the bench of the bus stop as though he passed out. He was clenching a can in his hand which made us think he was passed out drunk and we tried to wake him up for the bus (because was coming in 4 minutes). We rolled him over and he was unresponsive. My boyfriend checked his wrist and did not feel a pulse. I did also and came to the same conclusion. I called 911 and they asked us to try to lay him on the side walk flat and start doing chest compressions. By the time we laid him flat on the sidewalk, the fire truck was there. Followed by another, 3 police vehicles, and an ambulance. They then began trying to revive him, but were unsuccessful.
We waited to hear the verdict and give our information. It was confirmed that his backpack was full of alcohol but the cause of death is still unknown to us.

Thank you West Seattle Blog and all of the departments that helped.

waman August 29, 2010 (3:41 pm)

Thanks Katie for helping him out, I appreciate your help –

Mike Flynn August 29, 2010 (6:45 pm)

Would like to know whether this was the result of criminal activity or not.

christopherboffoli August 29, 2010 (7:16 pm)

SPD had no new information on this situation today. But we will continue to monitor the progress of the investigation so check back.

WTF August 29, 2010 (8:49 pm)

Katie (and BF) thank you for caring enough about a “seemingly passed out guy” and although he was probably deceased when you found him, your actions could have saved his life. Not many people would have done so.
You paid it forward for sure. <3

EmmyJane August 29, 2010 (9:12 pm)

I hope this wasn’t the same guy that was so drunk at 8:00 in the morning he fell out of his seat on the bus. So sad, alcoholism is a scary disease.

James August 29, 2010 (10:49 pm)

good job katie and david you guys are awesome and you did a great thing by trying to help him out i miss you guys

m August 29, 2010 (11:15 pm)

Will echo WTF, Katie thank you for looking after a member of the community regardless of their condition.

hustlerose August 30, 2010 (1:07 am)

i drove through the intersection around 10 and i saw him on the ground too. i think they meant he didn’t appear homeless because of his attire. i haven’t heard anything more about this, but i am still curious as to what happened.

justlikeus August 30, 2010 (3:05 pm)

Thank you to Katie and BF, for stopping and doing your best to help this man in what must have been a frightening situation. Kudos to you for trying to help him, the way any of us would want someone we loved to be treated if they were found on that bench. So sorry you are now faced with the aftermath.

Re: “the man did not appear to be homeless” and “because of his attire:” Not sure what is mean by that. I know several people who are currently homeless, or who have been because of the economic downturn. They could walk by you at Alki, in Westwood Village or in the Junction and you would never have a clue that they might be homeless from their attire or demeanor.

Flint September 1, 2010 (8:14 pm)

Dear Katie and BF, I’m still completely stunned and in shock to find that it was my dear friend you tried to help. He will be missed terribly. Thank you again for your assistance. Is there anyway I could speak with you or e-mail you?