AUBURN, Wash. – Kevin Coe, a convicted rapist, is no longer in state custody but is now on the Washington State sex offender registry. His registered address has raised questions as it lists a location in Auburn, Washington.
Coe, who is 78 years old, was the so-called “South Hill Rapist.” He is believed to have raped as many as 37 women during the late 1970s and early 1980s in the Spokane area. Coe spent 25 years in prison, following his 1981 arrest, and then was sent to a Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island, where he’s been for the past 17 years. Due to his failing health, he no longer fit the criteria, as detailed by state law, of a sexually violent predator, and so a judge in Spokane ordered his release.
Coe’s sex offender registry, maintained by the King County Sheriff’s Office, was officially updated this week. In it, Coe is described as six feet two inches tall and weighing 150 pounds. The registry lists his address as an adult family home in Auburn, despite previous statements from state officials indicating he would be released to a facility in Federal Way.
The address listed appears to point to an adult home facility in Auburn called “Anchored by Grace Adult Family Home.” NonStop Local contacted the facility to provide Coe a chance to speak about his release, but when contacted the facility’s staff did not recognize Coe’s name. Nearby adult family homes were also contacted but had no knowledge of Coe.
NonStop Local contacted DSHS to inquire about the discrepancy between the planned release in Federal Way, and the registry address in Auburn. A spokeswoman for the Department of Social and Human Services (DSHS) clarified, “Mr. Coe has been unconditionally released by a court and is no longer in the care or custody of DSHS. Your questions should be directed to the King County Sheriff’s Office.”
When we contacted the King County Sheriff’s Office about the address discrepancy, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s office would only say, “Kevin Coe is now residing in the city of Auburn; the Federal Way address is not happening.”
The Sheriff’s Office was asked for further details regarding the Auburn address and why local facilities were unaware of Coe. They have yet to respond.
NonStop Local has not been able to reach anyone who knows any more about Coe’s location.
