Former Bothell city councilmember arrested after woman found dead inside South Seattle home

SEATTLE — Police arrested a man for suspicion of homicide after a 20-year-old woman was found dead in the Brighton neighborhood of South Seattle Tuesday afternoon.

Officers received a report of a possible murder at a home in the 4600 block of South Orchard Street at 4 p.m. When they arrived, they found the woman who had allegedly died by strangulation. Investigators believe she had been dead for more than 24 hours, before they found her body.

KIRO 7 News has learned that the 58-year-old man in custody for the attack is former Bothell city councilmember James McNeal who, according to a neighbor, was dating the woman.

“It’s just really awful. She was really sweet,” says one neighbor, who described the victim as a friend.

Homicide detectives were notified of the incident and patrol officers cordoned off the scene.

The councilmember was treated for injuries by Seattle Fire medics before he was taken to Harborview Medical Center. Prosecutors say his injuries were self-inflicted cuts to his wrists.

Court documents outline that it was McNeal’s own attorney who called 9-1-1 to ‘report a likely homicide.’

He was then arrested for investigation of homicide.

McNeal served as a Bothell City Councilmember for two terms. Elected in 2016, until he lost his re-election at the end of 2023.

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