An Ida Culver House Ravenna resident (seated) leaves the facility during the police activity for the calm of a local restaurant across the street.
We became aware around 4 PM of a large police presence around Ida Culver House Ravenna (2315 NE 65th Street). A man and an elderly female resident and been both found dead in a room inside. Police are now investigating the incident as a possible murder-suicide.
Homicide detectives stand in the inner courtyard of Ida Culver House Ravenna.
From the SPD Blotter:
Police received a report from the man’s family around 2 PM that the man had left his Ballard home after indicating he was contemplating suicide. A short time later, police received a second call from the family indicating the man may have headed for his elderly mother’s assisted living facility in the Ravenna neighborhood, with plans to harm her.
As police headed to the facility—located in the 2300 block of NE 65th Street—nursing home staff went to the elderly woman’s room to check on her, and found the bodies of a man and an elderly woman. The King County Medical Examiner will formally identify the bodies.
A King County Medical Examiner readies herself for the scene as locals gather outside Ida Culver House Ravenna.
More info when we have it.
***
UPDATE (5:36 PM): Added pictures from the scene.
UPDATE (Tuesday evening): Yesterday we talked with Nicole Francois with Ida Culver House Ravenna about the incident. She told us that counselors have been made available to staff and residents onsite, and “every day is a bit better for our community.” Francois also shared with us a statement from the president of Era Living:
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our remarkable residents. Our hearts go out to the family that is affected by this tragic event.
We are working in cooperation with the Seattle Police Department as they investigate the death of a resident from this single and isolated incident.”
– Eli Almo, President and CEO, Era Living
The names of those who died have not yet been released by the medical examiner’s office to us. Francois was unable to release similar information; however, she was able to say that the Ida Culver Ravenna resident was in an independent living unit at the time of the incident. In general, the family and friends of residents are strongly encouraged to visit their loved ones in retirement communities like Ida Culver. Depression due to feelings of isolation is a major concern. And unless staff is informed of issues between residents and potential visitors, there is usually no reason to prevent such meetings.
Francois also told us that there will be a private memorial service for the resident sometime this week, for family and friends. If residents feel moved to pass along condolences, they can be sent along to Ida Culver House Ravenna, 2315 NE 65th Street, Seattle, WA 98115.
UPDATE (Friday, July 25): The names of the deceased were published in today’s Seattle Times: Annie McClure, 83, and William T. McClure, 57. The woman’s death, due to a gunshot wound to the head, was ruled a homicide. Her son took his own life in the same manner.
UPDATE (Sunday, July 27): An obituary for William McClure is now online.
I live on 28th & 68th – this must be why there is a news helicopter circling above our house! So sad!
Thanks for the report. I too saw the chopper from our house at 20th & 68th and I found news on the blotter. Sad for the loss of life.
Can’t believe that King is not reporting developments. Too sad, this event.
If I were to hazard a guess, I’d say that the wildfires on the other side of the state have a lot of the larger local media folks focused elsewhere. Neighborhood sites like this one don’t need to send teams of people to remote places — we’re already where we need to be.
Was this Bill McClure related to the Bill McClure that was friends with Lois Nois back in the 70s? He was my Godfather I am Lois granddaughter.
Wait, Wait! You’re telling me that 2 gunshots went off in an assisted living facility and NOBODY heard them? The cops have to call/arrive before anyone checks on the woman? This is unbelievable! NEVER going to have a relative or friend or anyone I know stay in this facility. I can’t believe that DSHS isn’t all over this! I feel real bad for the family of this person, but what does it say about the care the other residents are receiving?
Wow. I know this is old news, but I had to address your comment. The article never said that nobody inside heard the shots. The article DID say that police were tipped off by the man’s family that he was headed for his elderly mother’s assisted living facility with plans to harm her. So the police were called by the family BEFORE he even got there or started firing; so it’s very possible they contacted the facility while en route. And it’s also possible that the staff checked on the resident *because* they heard gunshots, assuming there was a staff member on the same floor at the time. Depending on the location of the woman’s room, there may or may not have been a staff member who heard the shots. But if the police or the family had called to warn the facility, that may have been why they went to check on her. You’ve made a number of unfair assumptions without any basis of fact.
I can tell you that when I worked there many years ago, one of the residents accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brake (from across the street, no less!) and slammed their car into the door of the garage, knocking it onto my car. You can imagine how much noise that accident must have made. However, I was on the 3rd floor in the laundry room at the time, so I didn’t hear a thing and didn’t even know about the accident until the receptionist came upstairs to let me know about my car.
The point is, the staff immediately went to check on her – whether due to hearing the gunshots OR being alerted by family or police. Frankly, I’m not sure what more you expected them to do, although it seems as though you expected them to read the man’s mind as he walked into the facility and try to disarm him before he reached his mother’s room.
My first thought as well! Where was the STAFF????? Having a cigarette break?
Our family is devastated and bewildered by this tragedy. Annie Lee, her husband, Richard, and her son, Bill, were tops among the most genteel, gracious and tenderhearted people we’ve had the blessing and honor of knowing. This could not have been based upon hatred or revenge. The depths of sorrow and desperation cannot be plumbed except by our merciful and forgiving Lord and Savior. We must do likewise.
Our love and sincerest condolences to the families and friends of these precious souls. Rest in peace dearest Annie Lee and Bill.
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