Man Arrested For Assault During Memorial Service For Woman Found Floating in Salmon Bay

A memorial service for a homeless woman who was found dead at a marina in Ballard last month turned ugly after one attendee punched out a woman at the service.

Police were called to a funeral home at 20th Ave NW and NW 57th Street at about 1:30 p.m. last Friday after, a police report says, a man grabbed a woman at the service by the hair and punched her in the head, knocking her unconscious. The man also reportedly told several witnesses "She'll be dead by tonight."

Police arrested the man and spoke with witnesses at the memorial service, who told officers they were suspicious of the man, and believe he may somehow be connected to the death of the woman being memorialized. Witnesses told officers the man "was known for beating women."

Police booked the man into jail for harassment and officers passed on the information about the man's possible connection to the woman's death to SPD's homicide unit.