UPDATE: The Mayor of Auburn, Nancy Backus, released the following statement regarding Kevin Coe’s relocation:
The City of Auburn was not notified by the King County Sheriff’s Office or any other agency that Mr. Kevin Coe was being relocated here. Like many of our residents, we learned of this recent development through newspapers and TV stations. That is not how effective public safety partnerships should operate, and we should expect better.When decisions of this magnitude are made – especially involving individuals with a documented history of violence – local jurisdictions such as Auburn deserve to be informed in advance so we can ensure the safety, communication, and peace of mind of our community. Transparency and coordination among agencies are essential to maintaining public trust.It’s disappointing that this process appears to be unfolding in the media rather than through professional collaboration between local, county, and state jurisdictions. Moving people from one city to another in response to public pressure is not a sound public safety strategy. It’s reactive, and it erodes community confidence. Auburn cannot, and should not, be treated as a community of last resort when other placements are met with opposition. That’s not how responsible governance works.Auburn has always stepped up to do its part in addressing regional challenges, especially public safety, but we will not quietly accept becoming a fallback option for difficult decisions made elsewhere. Our residents deserve better than to have these decisions made without transparency or thoughtful planning.We will do everything within our legal authority to keep our community protected and informed. Now that we are aware of Mr. Coe’s presence, the Auburn Police Department has verified his location and will immediately begin the process of notifying the community as allowed under law. Our officers will also conduct frequent verification checks to ensure Mr. Coe remains compliant with all registration requirements. We are also in close communication with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe for further remedies.And let me be clear: I am angry that Mr. Coe was released into our community. Auburn was not part of this decision, and we should not be asked to shoulder the consequences of choices made without consultation. Decisions of this significance must be based on safety, communication, and logic – not on convenience, reaction or circumstance.We demand better coordination moving forward to ensure that every community, including ours, is informed and protected.Nancy BackusMayor of Auburn
UPDATE: The King County Sheriffs Office told us the previous facility in Federal Way was “not happening.”
“The opportunity arose for him to go to this facility in Auburn-after Federal Way received some push back,” The King County Sheriffs Office said via email to NonStop Local KHQ.
We reached out to the mayor of Federal Way who redirected us to a previous statement and said they had nothing further to add.
“We do not have any say in the release of Kevin Coe, and we understand the sensitivity surrounding this matter. We acknowledge the community concerns regarding his potential placement in Federal Way. Mr. Coe is in his mid-70s and confined to a wheelchair. While this does not eliminate the possibility of re-offense, we are confident that his presence in Federal Way does not pose a significant public safety risk to our residents.”
-Mayor Jim Ferrell
Via email they obtained that no information was provided prior to the city of Auburn that Coe was moving into a home there, they say they found out about the news via media inquiries.
They also added APD will conduct checks to verify that he is still residing where he is registered at, the same that they do with all registered sex offenders within the city.
The home has still not clarified that Coe is there. But the King County Sheriff has confirmed he was taken there.
We did reach out to the Mayor of Auburn and will update you if a statement is made.
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.
