Reported deaths, 2017-present

The public has a strong interest in examining and understanding deadly use of force incidents involving law enforcement or corrections agencies, and other deaths where the action or inaction of law enforcement or corrections officers played a significant role in a person’s death.

This page is intended to be a comprehensive list of people who have died in King County following an interaction with law enforcement, or in the custody of law enforcement. The medical examiner, prosecuting attorney, and all law enforcement agencies are required to notify the inquest program manager when they become aware of a person’s death following an interaction with law enforcement, or while in the custody of law enforcement. The inquest program manager may also use other sources in preparing this list.

The Inquest Program makes recommendations whether an inquest should be held. The King County Executive makes the final decision. For more details, please refer to the 2025 Executive Order.

For more information on cases, refer to the respective case page, located under Current inquests or Archived inquests. 

Status definitions

• Reported: Death has been reported, but the Inquest Program has not yet received the case file.
• Under review: Inquest Program has received some or all of the case file and is reviewing the case to determine whether a recommendation can be made to the Executive or more information is needed.
• Pending Executive’s decision: Inquest Program has sent a letter to the Executive with the recommendation of whether or not to call the inquest. 
• Inquest ordered: The Executive has ordered an inquest and the Inquest Program is in the process of scheduling an Inquest Hearing.
• No inquest ordered: After receiving the Inquest Program’s recommendation and materials, the Executive has decided not to order an inquest hearing.
• Hearing scheduled: An Inquest Hearing has been scheduled. The hearing dates can be found on the respective case webpage or in the inquest calendar.
• Inquest completed: An inquest was held and a jury returned with findings. More information about completed inquests, including the jury's answers to the interrogatories, can be found on the respective case webpage.