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Body found in Volunteer Park lily pond

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

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19 Comments
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Amanda
Amanda
7 years ago

OMG. I was there running the loop this morning from 7-8am and didn’t notice anything unusual at all. How terrifying.

Cris
Cris
7 years ago
Reply to  Amanda

Right Amanda, let’s make this all about you. Sheesh.

Central Districtite
Central Districtite
7 years ago

Suicide?

January is a tough time of year for mental health. Reach out – there are many people and organizations who will reach back.

Data Driven
Data Driven
7 years ago

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.

Andrea
Andrea
7 years ago

Heroin.

SeattleCarol
SeattleCarol
7 years ago
Reply to  Andrea

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.

May
May
7 years ago
Reply to  Andrea

Rude & insensitive judgements you come to! Her friends & family see this. Think about that next time you jump to a conclusion.

Brian Williamson
Brian Williamson
7 years ago

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.

Old Gill
Old Gill
7 years ago

I’m sorry about your friend.

Amanda
Amanda
7 years ago

I’m very sorry for your loss.

Jane M.
Jane M.
7 years ago

Truly a very, very sad day…

Tim D
Tim D
7 years ago

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.

Mary
Mary
7 years ago

❤️❤️❤️

May
May
7 years ago

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

Andy A
Andy A
7 years ago

A tremendous loss. Difficult to process even.

JanelleS
JanelleS
7 years ago

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.

May
May
7 years ago
Reply to  JanelleS

? yes. I think of her humor, even now.