Seattle Police and the county Medical Examiner were at Volunteer Park Monday morning to investigate after a dead body was found in the green space’s south lily pond.
A SPD spokesperson tells CHS that the death does not appear to be suspicious and there were no signs of foul play.
The body was discovered by a parks employee and reported to police and Seattle Fire just before 8 AM. The pond is near the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the park’s iconic water tower.
The body was reported to Seattle Fire as a deceased male. Investigators were at the park as of 9 AM to examine the scene around the submerged body.
The King County Medical Examiner will determine the identity of the victim and investigate the cause of death.
UPDATE 1/10/2017: Friends have identified the woman as 49-year-old Amy Vanderbeck. Our condolences to friends and family.
Body found in Volunteer Park identified as Capitol Hill woman
OMG. I was there running the loop this morning from 7-8am and didn’t notice anything unusual at all. How terrifying.
Right Amanda, let’s make this all about you. Sheesh.
Suicide?
January is a tough time of year for mental health. Reach out – there are many people and organizations who will reach back.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_effects_on_suicide_rates
Hard to understand how this would not be regarded as suspicious. One does not just fall into that pond. Please follow up on this and post an update. Condolences to all.
SPD is limited in how it can responsibly describe an investigation, especially in its early stages. It is a death investigation at this point given evidence observed at scene.
Heroin.
Heroin was the first thing that popped into my head too.
I walk dogs in the park daily and am wondering which of the regular addicts who live in the park & surrounding blocks it was.
Rude & insensitive judgements you come to! Her friends & family see this. Think about that next time you jump to a conclusion.
It was not a man, and it was not a junky, it was a very dear friend of many on the hill. Be respectful. A beautiful being has passed.
I’m sorry about your friend.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
Truly a very, very sad day…
Thanks Brian… she was a good person and a friend to many – a confidant, sister and daughter as well… the circumstances surrounding her passsing may/may not be fully understood but her life-story is one that should be told because it’s profoundly relevant to many. Perhaps CHS can follow up when appropriate. tim durkan.
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for saying this. She will be missed dearly and her family is in my heart/thoughts. I’m so sad to have found out about her untimely passing. She was a great person
A tremendous loss. Difficult to process even.
I am a friend of the deceased, and all I can say is that we all know she would have found it hilarious that she was identified as a man. She also would have gone on one of her oh-so-brilliant rants full of poignant humor that would have made us all think, and also laugh.
? yes. I think of her humor, even now.