Homicide investigation remains open as cause of death determined in Madison Park case



The King County Medical Examiner has determined the cause in the investigation of a man found dead “with obvious signs of trauma” in the Madison Park neighborhood in May but mystery still surrounds the Seattle Police Department homicide case.

According to the updated report released by the examiner’s office last week, the victim died of “blunt force craniocervical trauma” but medical investigators have not been able to determine a manner of death.

Detectives opened a homicide investigation in May after police were called to a report of a person down inside a parking area in the 4000 block of E Madison just after 5 PM that Sunday. “There, officers found a man with obvious signs of trauma,” SPD reported.

The Seattle Fire Department pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.

In June, the Medical Examiner released the results of its preliminary investigation, identifying the victim as 70-year-old James Edward O’Hara. The investigation determined O’Hara died the day before he was found.

Now medical investigators know what killed O’Hara but not how he died.

The type of craniocervical trauma injuries could be caused in a variety of ways including physical assault, a hard fall, or from being impacted or crushed by a car.

The man was found dead May 24th in a parking area along an alley behind commercial buildings in Madison Park.

The Seattle Police Department has not addressed the updated Medical Examiner findings.

A spokesperson tells CHS, as of Monday morning, the homicide investigation remains open.

UPDATE: A spokesperson for the Medical Examiner tells CHS that investigators assigns a manner of “undetermined” when “there is insufficient evidence or information to assign to accident, homicide, suicide, or natural categories.”

“This is a final determination, the spokesperson said. “However, if new evidence were provided, the MEO would evaluate it and consider revising their determination.”

According to records, the victim had been living in the area prior to his death.

Loved ones remembered the Spokane-born O’Hara as a man who faced hardships but remained committed to his family.

Anyone with information about his death is asked to call the SPD tip line at 206-233-5000. Anonymous tips are accepted.

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