(WSB photo)
SFD and SPD were called to that RV on 9th SW between SW Barton and SW Henderson a short time ago; a 911 caller asked for medical help for a woman. As soon as SFD got there, they radioed that she was an “obvious DOA.” They subsequently called for police and the Medical Examiner’s Office, which will investigate the cause of death. The only thing we’ve heard about circumstances is that the caller told dispatchers they had last seen the woman alive last night.
So tragic and 100% preventable if the parking/public camping laws were enforced.
“If only we’d harassed this person some more, she would have lived.”
What an absolutely ghoulish thing to say, what’s wrong with you?
@GH: this mechanism can also act as a check-in on people with a system to rapidly escalate support based upon need. Just like we should do that for the vulnerable wherever they live in our city. We should not be abandoning residents.
I’d like to understand the logic of this comment. People die every day of numerous causes in homes, in apartments, in tents, in cars, etc… How have you determined this was 100% preventable when we don’t know what caused this persons death? Make assumptions much?
What’s tragic are your words in a time when some people are celebrating the demise of social safety nets. 100% “preventable”…
What are you talking about? She wouldn’t have died if camping laws were enforced? We don’t even know what she died of yet. Take a breath.
Maybe she wouldn’t have died if we had Medicare for All and she would have received affordable treatment for whatever condition brought about her death.
This camper has been in this or various spots within a 1-2 block radius for as long as anyone living in this area can remember. It will reside for weeks in one location, then be moved (being pulled) 1/2 block away. It was in this spot only because the neighbors along that stretch were so fed up with inaction; they placed the barriers there, and this is only 1 or 2 spaces left. Maybe if we didn’t accept refusal for services and shelter after multiple contacts, and stepped up enforcement for those who declined help and continued to live in these dangerous environments, this person could have been caught before their line ended this tragic way. I can only hope this camper finally realizes its demise in the hydraulic jaws of the junkyard scrapper, and the others who are still alive can finally be placed in a more stable and supportive system.
So you wish this person had died in jail instead of the place they called home. Gotcha.
Thank you to the neighbor who saw this woman as a person, and called for help when there were signs she needed help, even if that ended up being too late. I hope her passing was peaceful. Condolences to the friends and family she left behind.
That is a tone deaf response. Housing is unthinkably unaffordable in this area.Shut up with your hate. Being forced into homelessness and at least having an RV to live in is better than being on the street. The person probably lived longer because they had someplace to be inside.If you’d ever had to deal with any of that, you would feel differently.AI real estate, aggressive profiteers, and ignorance have caused the homeless problem. GREED IS THE ENEMY!!!
“Shut up with your hate”? Not sure where you got that from the comment above. Yes – affordability is absolutely a problem in Seattle (and many other places). But your apparently willful avoidance of the underlying truth that a much larger problem with homelessness than affordability is addiction and mental health. Unless/until we devout necessary resources to those two problems, affordability will always be a secondary concern. I don’t know why this poor woman died – and neither do you. So the screeching here is a bit over the top. Folks who speak more generally about the RV and tent problem purely in terms of affordability are avoiding the actual, serious problem that is endemic addiction and mental health-afflicted folks and what we need to do about that.
I’m going to assume you believe we live in a Christian nation. Your callousness proves it. WWJD? Obviously throw these unworthy people away, right? Jesus absolutely hated the poor and wanted them dead.
We have people struggling in our community daily. Be proactive, and hope for the best. Some people you can’t help. Be an advocate.I work in healthcare We have lost so many resources for our patients, they have no where to turn to. It’s sad and troubling.
Rest in peace, sister, and may you be harassed by your neighbors less in your death than you were in life.
I’m sorry but you people are so mean. She was a mother, daughter, grandmother and aunt. She is my family and you have no clue what happened none of us do so stop being so quick to judge
This woman has been identified as my mother. She struggled with a lot of demons throughout her life, roughly two years ago she had a major brain injury and was diagnosed with short term memory. She had her up and her downs but it doesn’t make the pain of losing her any less. She was thought about, prayed about and mostly she was loved.
She was a mother of 6. I am also one of her children. Reading these comments is an absolute disgrace. Everyone has addictions and everyone has problems. But I would never wish death on someone. We never know what another person is going through. She was definitely in need of more help than most can give but she was not forgotten about and she was loved and will always be remembered. I love you mom!
My condolences to you and your family, Cheyene. I wish peace and strength for you as you navigate this loss. And for everyone so quick to judge others, if you can’t think of anything nice to say to your neighbors–whether they’re housed or unhoused–do everyone a favor and keep it to yourselves.
The people who have the time and hateful fuel to leave comments are not the majority. I hope you you and your family have time to recall the unique, giggle-inducing moments with your mother. Please ignore the rudeness as much as you can.
I don’t even recognize our country anymore. Shame on the people with the horrendous, anonymous comments. May this woman finally rest in peace in the afterlife. Condolences to her daughter and all who loved her.
She was a mother of 6. I am also one of her children. Reading these comments is an absolute disgrace. Everyone has addictions and everyone has problems. But I would never wish death on someone. We never know what another person is going through. She was definitely in need of more help than most can give but she was not forgotten about and she was loved and will always be remembered. I love you mom!
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family and all the people who knew her I’m so very sorry for your loss GOD BLESS YOU
community health systems are supposed to reach our unhoused neighbors. When someone dies alone like this, it’s hard not to question whether our well-funded safety-net system is actually working.
Melinda was a good friend of mine and many others she will be missed and I dont know how people can be so cruel .all I can say is how would all of you feel if it was one of your family members. Maybe you wouldn’t have such crappy things to say. Have some compassion and sympathy for the people who feel this loss of our friend?
I can’t believe how cruel people are? You might feel different if it was one of your family members or friend . I’ll miss you melinda hope things are going to be easier for you now
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