Kevin Coe, the convicted serial rapist known as the “South Hill Rapist,” has died at age 78.
The Federal Way Police Department said officers responded to a medical emergency report at an adult family home on 38th Place Southwest in Federal Way before 5:30 a.m.
When officers arrived, medics were already on scene performing CPR on an unresponsive man. Despite life-saving efforts, the individual died at the location.
Federal Way police identified the deceased as Kevin Coe, a Level 3 sex offender who had been residing at the home following his release from McNeil Island in October. Level 3 designation indicates offenders considered at high risk to reoffend.
Police believe Coe died of natural causes. The preliminary assessment suggests no foul play or suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
Coe was a prolific rapist active during the late 1970s and early 1980s in Spokane’s South Hill neighborhood. Investigators believe he may have assaulted as many as 32 victims during his crime spree, though he was ultimately sentenced for only four cases.
The Washington State Supreme Court overturned several of Coe’s other convictions at the time, ruling that victims had been hypnotized by police during investigations. This controversial investigative technique, used to help victims recall details, became grounds for excluding testimony and evidence derived from hypnosis sessions.
Coe had been incarcerated since 1985, serving nearly four decades behind bars before his recent release. His October release from McNeil Island, a facility housing sexually violent predators, placed him under community supervision at the Federal Way adult family home.
The South Hill attacks terrorized Spokane’s affluent South Hill neighborhood during the late 1970s. The rapist’s pattern of attacks against women in the area created widespread fear and prompted one of the region’s most intensive manhunts.
Coe’s capture and prosecution became one of Washington’s most notorious criminal cases. The investigation involved extensive police work, community vigilance, and ultimately controversial techniques that would later undermine some convictions.
The hypnosis issue that led to overturned convictions reflected evolving understanding of memory science and concerns about suggestibility. Courts grew skeptical of testimony enhanced through hypnosis, recognizing that the process could create false memories or reinforce uncertain recollections.
Despite the overturned convictions, Coe’s four sustained rape convictions kept him imprisoned for the remainder of his productive adult life. The lengthy incarceration ensured he could not victimize additional women during those decades.
His release in October sparked concern among some community members and victims’ advocates who questioned whether someone with his history should be returned to the community even under supervision. Level 3 sex offender status requires public notification when such individuals reside in neighborhoods.
Adult family homes provide residential care for individuals who need supervision and assistance but do not require nursing home level care. Such facilities often house elderly individuals, those with disabilities, or people transitioning from institutional settings.
Coe’s placement in Federal Way, rather than returning to the Spokane area where his crimes occurred, likely reflected attempts to distance him from victims and communities directly impacted by his attacks. Sex offender management often involves geographic restrictions.
The early morning death at the adult family home suggests a sudden medical event rather than a prolonged illness. The CPR attempts indicate staff or medics responded promptly to the emergency, though resuscitation efforts proved unsuccessful.
At 78, Coe had reached an age where natural causes become increasingly common. Decades of incarceration can impact long-term health outcomes, and elderly released offenders often have significant medical needs.
The South Hill Rapist case remains significant in Washington criminal justice history, both for the terror the crimes inflicted and for legal precedents established around investigative techniques. The hypnosis controversy influenced how law enforcement approached witness interviews in subsequent cases.
For victims who survived Coe’s attacks, news of his death may bring mixed emotions. Some may find closure knowing he can commit no further crimes, while others may feel frustrated that overturned convictions prevented fuller accountability.
