Man found dead in The Junction; police say no ‘suspicious circumstances’

Thanks for the tip. A reader asked about “a body” found in The Junction this morning. We subsequently asked both SPD and SFD about it. The dispatch was just after 7 am, on SW Alaska just east of California. SFD says the 35-year-old man was “deceased on arrival.” SPD says there was “nothing to indicate suspicious circumstances/foul play” so far. Listening to the recording of the fire dispatch, he was found in front of the Starbucks shop, and CPR was used to try to revive him. It’ll be up to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office to identify the man and his cause of death.

Auntie Smash August 8, 2021 (6:07 pm)

This is so sad. Do we know if it is one of the local homeless men?

WSB August 8, 2021 (6:59 pm)

Every bit of information I have is above.

Seaweb August 8, 2021 (8:14 pm)

I was there when the guy who waters the Junction flower baskets discovered him. He had been sleeping in a doorway it seemed. Really sad.

Scubafrog August 9, 2021 (4:58 am)

Tragic :( Why can’t The People have healthcare on par with our elected officials in DC? Surely R’s and D’s can agree with that sentiment.

Jay August 9, 2021 (10:23 am)

I mean they can agree with an overwhelming consensus, but they agree healthcare isn’t a right. Universal healthcare is for congress only.

Unknown August 9, 2021 (12:49 pm)

It was in fact one of the local homeless people, his name was Eric

Cozy August 9, 2021 (7:49 pm)

Sorry to hear this tragic news, 35 is so young to be dying on the streets. Thank you for sharing their name. Hope their fellow street friends and family take good care.

We need to do better by those who are suffering and experiencing homelessness.
Auntie Smash August 9, 2021 (8:37 pm)

Oh no! That is terrible news! Eric recently became a father. 😞 i really hope that identification is inaccurate. This is so sad. To Unknown. Are you sure?
- WSB August 9, 2021 (9:09 pm)
  
  There was no identification on the Medical Examiner’s Office daily media-release list, for what it’s worth, so I am not able to verify, will be checking again tomorrow.
- Unknown August 9, 2021 (9:19 pm)
  
  I was relatively close with them and his girlfriend called me crying and told it was Eric, still not 100% sure but his girlfriend told me it was
  - Auntie Smash August 9, 2021 (9:59 pm)
    
    Well, i am speechless. It breaks my heart these folks are in the position they are. Eric was a lovely person. I wish i was in a position to provide more assistance than i could/can. Regardless of his living arrangements, he was a very important and loved person within our West Seattle community. This is truly a massive loss.
Bob August 10, 2021 (1:13 pm)

Erik Richardson???
- unknown August 11, 2021 (10:00 am)
  
  yes
  - Bob August 11, 2021 (12:06 pm)
    
    Yes it was Erik Richardson??? Oh man that guy.

Cozy August 10, 2021 (7:00 pm)

@WSB, would be interested to hear more about this man and his life and circumstances, and how he died.

WSB August 10, 2021 (7:16 pm)

So would I, however, I don’t even have his name. M/E hasn’t released an ID list today and there was no case resembling this on the list yesterday.

Update August 12, 2021 (11:32 am)

Any update on this person?

WSB August 12, 2021 (11:38 am)

The Medical Examiner hasn’t updated their public list of IDs since Monday.

Snaggletooth August 12, 2021 (2:41 pm)

I just heard there was a second death in the same area within a day or so- someone named Gabriel- has there been any news about that?

WSB August 12, 2021 (2:56 pm)

Nothing anyone has brought to our attention. Do you have a more specific time/day window? I can check the SFD logs if so.
- Snaggletooth August 12, 2021 (4:45 pm)
  
  The only information I was given was the name and that two unhoused people died in what I interpreted as within a day or two of each other in the Junction. I definitely hope that that is not the case.