The Kirkland Police Department continues its investigation into the death of 19 year old Scarlett Paxton who died of a neck wound just after 3:00 am on Wednesday November 30, 2011. The King County Medical Examiner has now officially ruled Paxton’s death as a homicide caused by sharp forced injury to her neck. As part of the investigation, a search warrant was obtained yesterday by Kirkland Police for Paxton’s residence and surrounding area. During the initial search, a knife was located, but it remains unknown at this time if this knife was used in the commission of the crime. Kirkland Police Detectives continue their investigation with the assistance of the Washington State Patrol Crime lab.

For more information about this incident, please contact ­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Lieutenant Mike Murray, Kirkland Police Department at 425-587-3402 or mmurray@kirklandwa.gov. [12.01.11]