Medical examiner rules death of Kent man, 33, as homicide | Update

Published 10:13 am Tuesday, January 27, 2026

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the death of a 33-year-old Kent man found in the brush in the 25400 block of 74th Avenue South as a homicide.

Damonte James died of multiple stab wounds, according to the Jan. 27 report released by the medical examiner. The report did not list a date of death. The stabbing occurred near Willis Street and 74th Avenue South on the south leg of the Interurban Trail, according to the medical examiner’s report.

“We do not have a confirmed date of death and that is something we are trying to confirm,” Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla said in a Jan. 27 email.

Officers were dispatched at about 11:52 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, in response to a 911 call about a deceased person in the brush, according to a Jan. 26 Kent Police news release.

Multiple officers responded and found the deceased man. They observed injuries that appeared to be consistent with a homicide, according to police.

At this time there is no indication that there is an ongoing threat to the community, according to police.

“While not confirmed, we do believe the victim was unhoused and has been so for some time,” Padilla said.

Kent Police are seeking assistance from the community. If you have information about this homicide leave a tip by emailing KPDTipLine@kentwa.gov or call 253-856-5808. If your tip is urgent, call 911.

It is the city of Kent’s first homicide of 2026.