UPDATE: Death investigation in The Junction

9:56 AM: Thanks for the tips. In addition to the regular closure of California between Alaska and Oregon for the weekly West Seattle Farmers’ Market, half a block of Alaska west of California is also closed – for a police investigation. It involves someone who died by the bus stop on the south side of Alaska; the Medical Examiner has just arrived for the body. Police will tell us only that the person who died was male. This started with a medical call about an hour ago. That’s all we know so far – more as we get it.

10:08 AM: One thing we can say – this is not a homicide investigation. While the official cause of death and ID will come from the Medical Examiner, they’re already here to remove the body – which wouldn’t happen this soon if it were a crime investigation. The tape has come down and SW Alaska has reopened.

West Seattle since 1979 August 28, 2016 (10:45 am)

So sad. Condolences to his family and friends.

Mike August 28, 2016 (11:15 am)

What is so heavy in the bed of that 3/4 ton pickup?

WSB August 28, 2016 (11:39 am)

Well, among other things, a medical-examiner vehicle – van, trucks, etc. – carries the tools of their trade, at the very least gurney(s) and body bag(s).
- Mike August 28, 2016 (3:48 pm)
  
  If that’s loading down that truck that much, they should get the F550. Loaded like it shows in the photo is severely unsafe.
  - WSB August 28, 2016 (4:07 pm)
    
    I asked Patrick, who took the photo, and he said they were there for just a few minutes, and that could just have been the angle from which he photographed it.

JanS August 28, 2016 (11:50 am)

how very sad :(

KD August 28, 2016 (1:59 pm)

Not saying it was any of those folks, but as anyone who goes through that transit hub knows, that very spot an end of those benches at that shelter always has chronic alcoholics and that SPD and KCTP Sheriffs are always talking to them. May not be one of them, but sad whatever the situation… especially if they went alone.

Richard Champlin August 28, 2016 (5:20 pm)

I was there this morning as they worked on him. They were pumping his chest for 10 minutes while I was waiting for the C bus. Then, a first responder unfolded a blanket and covered the man on the sidewalk. Not a good start to a Sunday morning. Very sad for MIcah

Andy cruz August 29, 2016 (12:38 am)

I knew the man that died. He was my best friend, I just hope he’s alright wherever he is.

Enid August 29, 2016 (6:11 am)

COD?

WSB August 29, 2016 (7:00 am)

That’s up to the Medical Examiner; their next media release is this afternoon.

PG Carr August 29, 2016 (8:54 am)

He was a friend of a very good friend of mine, Chuck. This is very sad and distressing news.

Beth Heritage August 29, 2016 (10:29 am)

When we walked by a little after 9:00am the first responders were gone and his body was in the street covered with a bio-hazard bag. Commenter Richard above states that a first responder covered the man on the sidewalk …. so how did his body end up a few feet from the curb onto Alaska Way?

Much later that afternoon (after the scene was cleared) I saw a makeshift memorial at the bus shelter where it appears a few homeless people live; it was the lid of a Pagliaccis Pizza box, 2 cup cakes, several straws, some multicolored glass vile type thing, guitar picks and a cross made from drum sticks.

Two commenters above (Andy & PG) said they knew him, but PG refers to him as Chuck…. so who is Mika?

Beth Heritage August 29, 2016 (10:31 am)

Here a pic of the memorial that I thought was for this man, but now am not sure:

WSB August 29, 2016 (10:49 am)

We won’t have a name until and unless the Medical Examiner releases it (and the cause of death). If you re-read that other comment, it appears the commenter is saying this is a friend of his friend Chuck, not that Chuck was the deceased person’s name.

PG Carr August 29, 2016 (10:58 am)

Beth and WSB, the deceased man’s name was Micah. My best friend Chuck Pinto who drives a water taxi shuttle bus (Best Driver Ever BTW), was a close friend of his and brought this to my attention