Everett, WA, had some unexpected courthouse drama Friday afternoon when a man identified by authorities as 39-year-old Kyle Hester slipped away from the Snohomish County Superior Courthouse and never came back, officials said. Deputies say Hester ran from the courthouse shortly after a judge ordered him taken into custody, triggering a manhunt on the county campus. Investigators say they have probable cause to arrest him on suspicion of first-degree escape.
According to KOMO, Hester bolted from the courthouse at 3000 Rockefeller Ave. at about 2:30 p.m. on July 24, just after a hearing where a judge instructed deputies to take him into custody. Deputies initially asked the public to help identify a woman seen with Hester. Detectives later said they believe they have identified her and are now concentrating resources on tracking Hester down.
What first-degree escape means
Under Washington law, escape in the first degree applies when someone knowingly leaves custody after a felony conviction and is charged as a class B felony. That classification carries significant penalties and shapes how prosecutors will pursue charges if Hester is found. See the statute as published by the Washington Legislature for the full language.
Search and investigation
The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office told reporters that detectives are continuing a focused search and coordinating with deputies to locate Hester, KOMO reports. Authorities have not released additional details about what Hester was being held for or exactly how he managed to slip away. Anyone with immediate information was urged to call 911 so deputies can respond quickly.
Local context
Escapes from custody in the Everett area are uncommon but not unheard of. When they do happen, they tend to set off fast-moving searches and multi-agency responses that usually end in recapture. A 2017 case in which a teen briefly escaped after being detained shows the kind of response deputies can mount; for background see HeraldNet. The Snohomish County Superior Courthouse at 3000 Rockefeller Ave. is the county's primary judicial facility, according to the Snohomish County Superior Court page.
How to help
If you saw anything suspicious near the courthouse on Friday or have video that might be relevant, contact emergency services so deputies can act on tips immediately. The investigation is ongoing and detectives say they will continue to vet leads and follow up as information comes in.
