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Seattle serial killer is a HOAX! Police deny rumors of murderer targeting women in 30s

'Seattle PD does *not* have any serial cases,' the police department said

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: Police have denied reports of an alleged Seattle serial killer targeting women in their 30s. The rumor seems to have spread after an email from a Seattle bar manager to the employees described how a killer was kidnapping women in their 30s who were out for drinks with friends before dismembering them, reported KIRO 7. The rumor circulated on social media quickly and was later publicized by a Seattle-based news aggregator called @dubseatv.

“We are aware of unverified online social media reports that select death investigations, in the vicinity of South Park/SR 509, may share similar characteristics,” the King County Sheriff’s Office public information tweeted on October 16. “At this time, the Sheriff’s Office has identified no evidence affirming this for any cases under our jurisdiction."

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“King County Detectives have been notifying locals about a serial killer in Seattle right now,” an Instagram post from the aggregator, @dubseatv, alleged. “Multiple women’s bodies have been discovered recently in the Burien and SODO area, apparently posed in the same way.”  The Instagram post is still active on the account, but the tech giant has designated it as "false information." A caption on the post alleged, “So far 4 women have been found in the SODO and Burien area. Investigators are avoiding going to the media to prevent enticing the suspect or suspects. Until more details arise, just be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone late, if you can."

The Seattle Police Department reacted to a Twitter user who asked the police if reports of a serial murderer were true after taking a copy of the Instagram post. “We’ve received a number of inquiries about this. Seattle PD does *not* have any serial cases,” the police department clarified on Saturday. 

On their respective Facebook pages, the Burien Police Department and the City of Burien, which are both roughly 10 miles outside of Seattle, also shared the statement from the King County Sheriff's Office refuting the allegations. 

The sheriff's office said that a woman was discovered dead close to Burien on October 7 and urged people to come forward with any information. The circumstances surrounding the death were kept private, reported New York Post.