File Photo, Kent Reporter

File Photo, Kent Reporter

Medical examiner identifies man fatally stabbed in Kent

27-year-old man died from stab wound of chest at West Hill apartment complex

The man fatally stabbed Feb. 7 at an apartment on the West Hill in Kent has been identified.

Edivier Jesus Duran Leal, 27, died from a stab wound of chest, according to the Feb. 10 report by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, which ruled the manner of death as homicide.

A 26-year-old man was fatally stabbed early Saturday morning, Feb. 7 on the West Hill in Kent at an apartment complex in the 25700 block of 27th Place S., just east of Pacific Highway South.

Officers were dispatched at about 12:34 a.m. to an apartment complex in the 25700 block of 27th Place South in response to a 911 call about an unwanted subject, according to a Feb. 7 Kent Police news release.

An officer arrived within a few minutes and discovered Leal in the parking lot bleeding heavily and conscious, but unable to speak, according to police. The officer began lifesaving efforts and called for medical aid. The officer discovered a significant wound to the Leal’s torso, consistent with a stab wound.

The officer placed a chest seal on Leal to stop the bleeding, according to police. Medics arrived and transported the man to a local hospital, but he died during surgery.

Officers and detectives interviewed multiple people in the complex, according to police. The initial information gathered indicated it was an isolated incident.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information about the suspect, call the Kent Police Tip Line at 253-856-5808 or email KPDTipLine@kentwa.gov. If you know the identity or location of the suspect, call 911.

This marks the second homicide of 2026 in Kent.

Damonte James, 33, died of multiple stab wounds, according to the Jan. 27 report released by the medical examiner, which ruled the death as homicide. 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.

James was found Jan. 25 in the brush in the 25400 block of 74th Avenue South, according to Kent Police.

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.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Medical examiner identifies man fatally stabbed in Kent

27-year-old man died from stab wound of chest at West Hill apartment complex

Kent Mayor Dana Ralph could see her salary go up in 2026 to $20,000 per month, a 9.2% increase. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Proposal would boost Kent mayor’s annual salary to $240,000

A 9.2% increase from current pay of $219,720; City Council pay to remain the same

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Man, 26, fatally stabbed at Kent West Hill apartment complex

Officers responded early Saturday morning, Feb. 7 to the 25700 block of 27th Place South

Courtesy File Photo, U.S. Immigration and Customs
Kent School District issues staff protocols for ICE

Message aims to prepare staff should immigration authorities appear at or near schools

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Train strikes, kills Kent man, 64, in wheelchair on tracks

Feb. 4 incident at East James Street second death by train in three days in Kent

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent Police Blotter: Jan. 12-18

Incidents include attempted robbery, carjackings

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent woman standing on tracks struck and killed by train | Update

Woman identified; reportedly waving at train Feb. 2 in the 1000 block of First Avenue North

Image courtesy King County Sheriff's Office
Super Bowl patrols underway as part of ‘Night of 1,000 Stars’ campaign

Emphasis patrols will be active in King County to encourage safe driving

COURTESY PHOTO, Sound Transit
No light rail service in Kent on Saturday, Feb. 7

Sound Transit to close line between Federal Way and Angle Lake for maintenance; buses will run

t
Kent high school students hit streets to protest ICE

Hundreds oppose actions that resulted in deaths of protesters in Minneapolis and removal of immigrants

United States Courthouse in Seattle. COURTESY PHOTO, USDOJ
Man pleads guilty to home invasion robberies in Kent, elsewhere

Armed, masked men entered homes in 2022 and tied up victims as they ransacked places

t
King County Metro rolls out new fleet of battery-electric buses

Routes in Kent, Auburn and Renton among the cities that will feature the new buses