UPDATE: Family says Jackie Dupras is the person found dead near South Alki stairway

ORIGINAL REPORT, 5:38 PM: After tips (thank you), we went to the 3600 block of 60th SW, in South Alki, where police were on the scene after a person was found dead. So far, it does not appear to be a homicide investigation; after the officer on scene said he couldn’t comment to media, we contacted SPD media relations, and they have no word of a homicide investigation there (or anywhere else). Neighbors told us the body was found by a landscaper who had been working in the sloped back yard of a house while its residents were away this afternoon, near the SW Spokane stairway between 60th and 61st [map]. A vehicle from the King County Medical Examiner’s Office (at right in our top photo) arrived while we were there; it will be up to them to identify the person and determine the cause of death.

8:05 PM: We have just learned from family and friends of Jackie Dupras, the 74-year-old West Seattle community activist missing for two weeks, that they have been told she is the person they found. Jackie’s husband Ed Dupras said the Medical Examiner came to their house this evening to tell him. As we have reported, Ms. Dupras had been diagnosed with dementia. Her husband says authorities believe she may have become disoriented after wandering into that area and unable to find her way out. Family and friends had been searching and posting/sharing flyers since news of her disappearance started circulating week before last.

58 Replies to "UPDATE: Family says Jackie Dupras is the person found dead near South Alki stairway"

  • Diane September 29, 2018 (7:09 pm)

    they won’t even give the gender?

    • WSB September 29, 2018 (8:09 pm)

      Sadly, Ed Dupras has just told us that the Medical Examiner informed us that Jackie Dupras is the person who was found. I have added the update above.

      • Alice September 29, 2018 (9:54 pm)

        😢😢😢

  • Barb Vadakin September 29, 2018 (8:16 pm)

    Such sad news, thinking of the family.

  • Morgan September 29, 2018 (8:18 pm)

    This is such sad news. My heart goes out to Mr. Dupras and her other family and friends.

  • Alki resident September 29, 2018 (8:24 pm)

    I’m so so very sorry to her family and friends. What a heartbreaking discovery.

  • ACG September 29, 2018 (8:26 pm)

    My sincere condolences to Jackie’s family and friends. I am so sorry for your loss.

  • Ann September 29, 2018 (8:31 pm)

    Very sad to hear the news. Condolences to Ed and the family. The community, too, has lost a valuable long-time activist and neighbor.

  • dsa September 29, 2018 (8:34 pm)

    Terrible news for the family and friends. I am so sorry to hear this.

  • Beckyjo September 29, 2018 (8:35 pm)

    Omg!! So sad.. Condolences to the family.

  • Workdowntown September 29, 2018 (8:37 pm)

    So very sorry.

  • Debbie B. September 29, 2018 (8:43 pm)

    So sorry to hear on the loss. May many prayers go to her family and friends.

  • ttt September 29, 2018 (8:54 pm)

    My condelences to her family and friends. I have been keeping my eye out for her every since I saw she was missing.

  • miws September 29, 2018 (9:03 pm)

    Condolences to Jackie’s family and friends… —-Mike

  • Jim September 29, 2018 (9:05 pm)

    So sorry to read this. Condolences to Ed and her family.

  • Kim September 29, 2018 (9:23 pm)

    This is heartbreaking. Oh, we are so sorry for your loss.

  • MJ September 29, 2018 (9:31 pm)

    My sympathies for family and the community. Sad news.

  • Sharon N. September 29, 2018 (9:43 pm)

    This is so very sad. Love to Ed and his family.

  • Annaeileen September 29, 2018 (9:50 pm)

    I am so sad here of this news. I have thought of Jackie and her family all week and was worried about her. May her family have peace.

  • Tina Buster September 29, 2018 (9:57 pm)

    What a tragedy! My condolences to Mrs. Dupras’ family and friends.

  • Martha September 29, 2018 (10:03 pm)

    Safe passage, Jackie.

  • Les Treall September 29, 2018 (10:11 pm)

    I thank the gods that Jim Beam is here to console me. She was a dear friend.

    • Sarajane September 30, 2018 (5:37 am)

      I’m so sorry for your loss, and the community’s.

  • JackieSz September 29, 2018 (10:12 pm)

    Sincere condolences to Jackie’s family and friends; she was kind and welcoming whenever I went to the 34th’s meetings. The last two weeks were surely agonizing for you and I hope you can grieve in the embrace of your community and family. RIP Jackie.

  • Lisa September 29, 2018 (10:18 pm)

    Ed and Family- I am so so sorry to hear this terrible news. Praying for you all in this.

  • Noelle September 29, 2018 (10:19 pm)

    My deepest condolences to Jackie’s family & friends. She was very kind woman. Sending you all healing thoughts & prayers.

  • Steve B September 29, 2018 (11:23 pm)

    Jackie was a mentor to me as a new PCO, and was the main reason my wife would come to the 34th Dems extracurricular events…so she could sit next to her. Our hearts are with Ed, the kids, and Jackie’s sisters.

  • Tamsen Spengler September 29, 2018 (11:58 pm)

    I’ll miss her terribly. She was always smiling and ready to go to work for democratic values and social justice. My deepest sympathy to her family.

  • Diane September 30, 2018 (12:12 am)

    deepest condolences to Ed & kids, Jackie’s sisters, and her close friends; she’s much beloved in West Seattle and will be very much missed; prayers for her family & friends; rest-in-peace dear wonderful Jackie

  • Ildiko September 30, 2018 (1:38 am)

    Very sorry to read this. She had always been lovely and kind to my children all these years when I randomly bumped into her around town. She always had a smile and an compliment for the kids. My heart deeply goes out to Ed, her children, her immediate and extended family, and friends. Big hugs and healing thoughts sent.

  • Mary Higdon September 30, 2018 (6:24 am)

    Deepest sympathies to Ed and the rest of Jackie’s family and loved ones. Jackie was passionate about community involvement and democratic action. A committed activist, she touched many lives through her activism. I am sorry her family had to bear the ordeal while she was missing and pray that cherished memories will provide some comfort during this difficult time. RIP, Jackie DuPras. You will be missed.

  • Elle Nell September 30, 2018 (8:04 am)

    oh how awful…. and to think that folks may have been searching around that area.
    RIP Jackie ✊

  • Susan Masser September 30, 2018 (8:08 am)

    My deepest condolences to Ed and the rest of Jackie’s family, friends and community. She was a lovely woman and will be missed by many. May she rest in peace.

  • DEF September 30, 2018 (8:27 am)

    So so sorry to her family and community for this loss. May her memory be a blessing.

  • Ivan Weiss September 30, 2018 (8:42 am)

    This is a very tough loss, for her family, her friends, and the community. Jackie meant so much to so many of us. Those who might read this who didn’t know her cannot imagine how much she gave of herself for the things she believed in, asking so little in return. She was a dear friend and a sister-in-arms.

  • flimflam September 30, 2018 (8:43 am)

    very sad ending to this story. dementia is a cruel affliction.

    • Echo October 1, 2018 (9:32 pm)

      It’s a disease, and it’s the worst.

  • Robert Stansel September 30, 2018 (9:23 am)

    Deepest condolences to my friend Ed and his family on this tragic loss. May the angles carry her though out eternity.

  • Lauren Tozzi September 30, 2018 (9:37 am)

    Jackie was a lovely and dedicated person. I will remember her smile and her voice as she was a member of the Seattle Labor Chorus. This is such a tragedy. So sad. Such a loss……I shared her flyer/photo with friends and drove around West Seattle several times hoping I would see her. My condolences to the family. My heart goes out to you all.

    • Terri Pollock October 2, 2018 (10:35 pm)

      I too knew Jackie from the Seattle Labor Chorus, where she had been a long time member. We will miss her quiet presence.

  • Marlene Allbright September 30, 2018 (9:39 am)

    You will be so missed Jackie Dupras.

  • JoAnn Keenan September 30, 2018 (9:47 am)

    This is truly sad. I know her family and friends had been frantic for the two weeks it took to determine what had happened to her. She must have been terrified. I’m very sorry. We will miss her greatly, and for a long time.

  • Marcee September 30, 2018 (10:35 am)

    My condolences to Ed and her family and close friends. For years, she voluntarily sat quietly adjacent to the West Seattle Farmers Market with voter registrations every Sunday. She must have registered hundreds of voters. I imagine many folks will remember her there. Just an example of her unselfish work for the community. I spoke with her a few days before she disappeared. She was smiling and laughing and enjoying a good beer. Peace to you, Jackie. It seems impossible that you have passed on. We will miss you.

  • Jim P. September 30, 2018 (12:18 pm)

    No one should die that way, alone and wandering. My deepest sympathies to the family and her husband.

    Hold your loved ones close this night and all nights.

  • Brian September 30, 2018 (1:36 pm)

    This is just so sad. My condolences to Ed and the rest of her family. The community will mourn this loss for some time.

  • HS September 30, 2018 (2:27 pm)

    I was looking for her everywhere I walked. This is just so sad. My deepest sympathies.

  • Peeb September 30, 2018 (7:51 pm)

    So sorry to hear this. Just heartbreaking.

  • Eric September 30, 2018 (8:32 pm)

    I am from Alabama and just happened upon this story. I am sorry for this terrible news. My thoughts with her family and friends.

  • Jeannie October 1, 2018 (2:07 am)

    This is so sad. We must find a cure for dementia!

  • Susan Sheary October 1, 2018 (11:38 am)

    Oh, my. I am so sorry for her family. I agree, we must find a cure.

  • Lois October 1, 2018 (12:21 pm)

    Jackie my dearest democratic friend. I miss the old days when you (and sometimes Ed too), toted me to all different functions and meetings. I’ll miss you at Wednesday Movies, and our little group luncheons won’t be the same without you. Ed, love to you and deepest condolences to you and the kids.

  • Gretchen October 1, 2018 (12:44 pm)

    Very sad!! I know the neighbor lady across from where Jackie lived…Prayers to Jackie and her family and EVERYONE (including me) affected by this….Will there be a service for her?

    • WSB October 1, 2018 (1:02 pm)

      As soon as we get word on that, we’ll publish something. Given her history of service with the 34th District Democrats (which our archives show honored her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011), I would speculate there will be some tribute at their upcoming meeting too (Wednesday 10/10)… TR

  • Alan W Crawshaw October 2, 2018 (2:08 pm)

    My condolences to Ed and his family. When I first arrived in Seattle Ed and Jackie helped me get established in Seattle. I’ll always remember Jackie as kind and welcoming. Rest in peace Jackie.

  • Dorene October 2, 2018 (10:45 pm)

    So sorry to hear the latest news. I kept hoping for a miracle for Jackie. Sending condolences to Ed and her family. She was very dedicated and will certainly be missed at our Drinking Liberally group.

  • Janet Stecher October 3, 2018 (2:53 pm)

    The Seattle Labor Chorus sends our heartfelt condolences to Ed and family. This is such a tragic end to such a sweet person. Jackie will be missed.

  • Toni Lysen October 4, 2018 (10:20 am)

    This is heartbreaking news. Jackie was so special. I remember as if it was yesterday the night Jackie came up during a 34th Dems meeting in 2000 that I was chairing to offer to be the newsletter editor. That was the beginning of her outstanding work as our editor, our friendship, and her legacy volunteering for the Democratic Party. She will be sorely missed. Ed and family— May you find peace from all the joyful memories you have of her.

    • Cheryl G. Banks October 20, 2018 (1:25 pm)

      I too want to leave a message of the love and admiration which I always had of how much Jackie could accomplish on any project. She was enormously capable. I especially admired her pride in liberal causes, both the ones she worked hard at and the pride she took in supporting others who also put themselves into the fray. First the dementia took her talent and then her life. I have great hope that there will be a day
      eventually when Elders do not have to fear growing older with the loss of memory and the confusion that it brings.

      Her death is a gigantic loss to the West Seattle community..

Sorry, comment time is over.