Disturbing video footage has emerged showing the moment a 31-year-old man allegedly stared directly into a security camera just minutes before fatally stabbing a transgender student 40 times in a Seattle student housing complex.
Details of the Incident
Juniper Blessing, 19, was tragically killed on May 10 at the Nordheim Court student housing complex near the University of Washington. The suspect, Christopher Leahy, has been charged with first-degree murder after turning himself in to police on May 12. According to reports, Leahy is not enrolled at the university.
Surveillance Footage
Newly released footage from the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office shows Leahy entering the laundry room multiple times before the attack. At approximately 9:45 p.m., he entered behind another student, left quickly, and returned around 10 p.m. At that time, Blessing was sitting on the floor in front of a dryer, with another male student also present. Leahy is seen staring into the camera as he enters, then leaves again, followed by the male student, leaving Blessing alone. Prosecutors say Leahy then returned and unplugged the security camera, following the power cord with his eyes and head. Minutes later, another student found Blessing surrounded by blood on the floor.
Prior Attempts to Enter Homes
Additional video released by prosecutors allegedly shows Leahy trying to open doors in several homes in the Ravenna neighborhood in the days before the homicide. Casey McNerthney, a representative for the prosecutor's office, told KOMO-TV News that police indicated attempts by the defendant to enter private homes in Ravenna and at least one other campus building before the murder.
Mental Health Evaluation
Leahy's hearing on Thursday was delayed at the request of his lawyer, who asked for more time for mental health evaluations. Blessing's family released a statement via the Human Rights Alliance of Santa Fe, describing her as a highly intelligent, extremely talented, and deeply sensitive individual. They said she moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2018 and attended the New Mexico School of Arts until 2024. The family expressed devastation over the loss, stating, "Our family has been shattered by the loss of our child, Juniper Blessing, to an act of unspeakable violence."
