Christopher Leahy, 31, has been charged with first‑degree murder and a deadly‑weapon enhancement in the May 10 killing of 19‑year‑old UW student Juniper Blessing. Prosecutors allege Blessing was stabbed more than 40 times while doing laundry at an off‑campus Ravenna apartment. Authorities say tracking data, surveillance footage and witness statements place Leahy near campus and allege he stalked other residents; investigators currently see no evidence the killing was motivated by hate. Leahy faces 264–344 months if convicted; arraignment is set for May 21.
Man Charged With First‑Degree Murder After UW Student Juniper Blessing Fatally Stabbed
(L-R) Juniper Blessing, Christopher LeahyCredit: Santa Fe Pride and Human Rights Alliance; Seattle Police Department
Christopher Leahy, 31, has been formally charged with first‑degree murder and a deadly‑weapon enhancement in the fatal stabbing of 19‑year‑old University of Washington student Juniper Blessing.
According to charging documents reviewed by PEOPLE, prosecutors allege Blessing was attacked while doing laundry at an off‑campus apartment complex in the Ravenna area on Sunday, May 10. The documents describe the assault as a "vicious" killing in which Blessing suffered more than 40 stab wounds.
Christopher LeahyCredit: Seattle Police Department
Charges, Possible Sentence And Evidence
Leahy was charged on Monday, May 18 with murder in the first degree and a deadly‑weapon enhancement. If convicted, he faces a total sentence of 264 to 344 months (approximately 22 to 28.6 years). That range is broken down as 240–320 months (20–26.6 years) for the murder conviction plus an additional 24 months (2 years) for the weapon enhancement.
Charging papers say investigators used tracking apps and video evidence to place Leahy in campus buildings and attempting to enter private residences in Ravenna prior to the killing, and near the murder scene two days afterward. Court records and witness statements cited by prosecutors allege Leahy stalked other residents at the complex and at one point followed a University of Washington student through the building before ending up in the same laundry room as Blessing.
Juniper BlessingCredit: Santa Fe Pride and Human Rights Alliance
Investigation Status And Motive
The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office said investigators and senior deputy prosecutors conducted an independent review and found no current evidence that the killing was motivated by bias. "That's the determination by both police investigators and multiple senior deputy prosecutors after an independent review," the office stated, adding that if new evidence emerges it may be referred for consideration of additional charges.
Leahy is scheduled to be arraigned at the King County Courthouse on Thursday, May 21. The case remains under active investigation as authorities continue to review surveillance footage and witness accounts cited in the charging documents.
Note: The allegations above are from charging documents and have not been proven in court. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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