Police have shared unsettling new information about the man accused of killing University of Washington student Juniper Blessing, who was found fatally injured in a laundry room near campus.
Blessing, a 19-year-old choir singer, died after suffering multiple stab wounds. Investigators later confirmed the injuries were extensive, with reports indicating the teenager was stabbed about 40 times.
The attack happened on Sunday, May 10. Two days later, a man walked into the Bellevue Police Department and turned himself in—shortly after authorities released surveillance images of the person they believed was responsible.
That man, identified as 31-year-old Christopher Leahy, was charged with first-degree murder, according to Seattle-area law enforcement. Court documents say Blessing sustained wounds to the head, neck, shoulders, arms, and hands during the assault in the laundry room.
The filings, reviewed by People, also describe concerns raised by students living in the nearby residential building, along with surveillance footage that allegedly captured Leahy following or watching individuals around the complex.
According to descriptions included in the records, video appears to show Blessing and Leahy going into the laundry room on Sunday. Blessing is said to have entered carrying a laundry bag and detergent.
Leahy allegedly stayed inside for several minutes and then left.
In another disturbing detail from the documents, two students told investigators they noticed the suspect near the laundry area. One said Leahy was seen looking out a window, seemingly fixated.
The second student reported encountering Leahy in the hallway and even holding the door for him as he exited. Not long after, that student discovered the scene; police also recovered CCTV footage of the assault.
At 10.32pm two days later, police say Leahy surrendered after his image was posted on social media and they received numerous tips identifying him—including one report that allegedly came from his brother.
Leahy later appeared in court on Thursday, where a judge found probable cause for first-degree murder with a deadly weapon and set bail at $10 million.
Blessing’s family has since issued an emotional statement following the killing.
It reads: “Our family has been shattered by the loss of our child, Juniper Blessing, to an act of unspeakable violence near the University of Washington campus in Seattle.
“Juniper was simply the most amazing human being we have ever known – highly intelligent, extremely talented, and deeply sensitive to the needs of others. Juniper’s loss not only devastates us but diminishes the world.
“Juniper was born Michael Carneiro da Cunha Blessing in Princeton, New Jersey where they attended Littlebrook School and Princeton Middle School until they moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2018. A gifted singer with a transcendent voice, Juniper was admitted to New Mexico School for the Arts, where they studied from 2020 until 2024.
“Weather was a love of Juniper’s since early childhood, and at the University of Washington they intended to study Atmospheric Science while continuing to study voice and pursuing minors in Music and Philosophy. They loved Seattle and Santa Fe, where they worked as an usher during summers at the Santa Fe Opera.
“Perhaps most importantly, Juniper was courageously living their life as who they were until it was cut tragically short. Blessed with many loving friends, family members and mentors, Juniper will be deeply missed.
“In this time of loss, we ask that you respect us and Juniper’s memory by mourning with us but respecting our privacy.”