A domestic violence incident in Edmonds yesterday resulted in a 68-year-old woman being attacked by her 73-year-old husband, Nick Zerafat, with a hammer while she slept. The Edmonds Police Department issued a safety alert around 6:50 a.m., identifying Zerafat as armed and dangerous. Fortunately, the victim was able to escape and seek help at a neighbor's house, according to FOX 13 Seattle.
As authorities began searching for Zerafat, the Edmonds police found a significant crime scene at their home, indicating a brutal attack. The suspect had already fled by the time officers arrived, leading to a widespread effort to locate him. Ironically, earlier that morning, his abandoned vehicle was found on southbound Interstate 5 in Seattle, but there was no sign of Zerafat.
Later in the day, authorities found a man matching Zerafat's description deceased below the Ship Canal Bridge. According to My Edmonds News, initial information indicated he may have fallen from the bridge where his vehicle was located. The Seattle Police Department is handling the death investigation, noting no obvious signs of foul play at the scene.
The victim of the assault was quickly taken to the Swedish Medical Center in Edmonds, where she received treatment for her severe injuries. Her condition had stabilized, and she was released from the hospital later that day. Edmonds police continued to firmly work with the Washington State Patrol and the Seattle Police Department to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the initial incident and subsequently the suspect's death, KOMO News confirmed.
The King County Medical Examiner's Office will be tasked with confirming the identity of the deceased man and determining the cause and manner of Zerafat's death.
