An 88-year-old Seattle woman says she was violently assaulted by a stranger in her own backyard in an unprovoked daylight attack that left her with a severed finger, broken bones, and unable to walk for weeks.
Emma Cotton was tending to her Rainier Beach yard weeks ago when a man approached from an alley behind her home. She says she did not recognize him and could not understand what he was saying. When she turned away and moved toward her house, he attacked without warning.
Police say the assault occurred in broad daylight and that the suspect remains at large.
“When he bit my finger off and I told him, I said that is the lowest thing you could do, and I said how would you feel if somebody bit your grandmother or your mother’s finger off,” Cotton recalled.
The attacker also stole her jewelry during the assault. One stolen item was a ring on the finger he severed. Cotton says she screamed during the beating, hoping someone nearby would hear her cries for help.
“For somebody to come in and invade you in your own property when you’re out working in your yard. Nobody gave him that right,” Cotton said.
The violent encounter left Cotton hospitalized with injuries severe enough to prevent her from walking for weeks following the attack. The physical trauma was compounded by emotional and psychological impacts that persisted beyond her initial treatment.
Cotton says the trauma followed her into the hospital, where she struggled with intense nightmares before finding clarity in forgiveness. Despite the brutality of the assault and the permanent injury she sustained, Cotton has worked to process the attack through a framework of compassion.
She hopes her attacker is found, seeks repentance, and ultimately helps improve the community. This perspective reflects remarkable grace given the severity of the unprovoked violence she experienced.
Seattle Police and Crime Stoppers released suspect photos and are offering up to $1,000 for tips leading to an arrest. The financial incentive aims to encourage community members with information to come forward and assist in identifying the perpetrator.
The attack highlights vulnerability concerns for elderly residents, particularly those living in areas where alleyways provide access to private yards. Cotton’s experience occurred on her own property during daytime hours, circumstances many would consider relatively safe.
The suspect’s approach from an alley behind the residence suggests he may have been traversing the neighborhood and opportunistically targeted Cotton when he saw her alone in her yard. The randomness of the encounter makes it particularly frightening for other residents who might question their safety in similar circumstances.
The severity of the assault, including biting off a finger, indicates an unusual level of violence for what appears to have been primarily a robbery. Most property crimes do not involve such extreme physical brutality, raising questions about the attacker’s mental state or potential substance influence.
Cotton’s age makes the attack particularly egregious. An 88-year-old woman poses no physical threat to an adult male attacker, making the level of violence employed both unnecessary and cruel. The broken bones and extended inability to walk suggest the assault continued beyond what would have been required to overpower an elderly victim.
The theft of jewelry, including the ring on the severed finger, indicates robbery as a motive. However, the extreme violence suggests the attack may have involved factors beyond simple property theft, such as sadism, rage, or impaired judgment from substances.
Crime Stoppers programs allow tipsters to provide information anonymously while still being eligible for rewards if their information leads to arrests. This anonymity can encourage people to share what they know without fear of retaliation or involvement in legal proceedings.
The release of suspect photos suggests surveillance cameras or witnesses captured images of the individual. These photos represent the best tool for identifying the attacker, as community members may recognize the person from the images.
Rainier Beach, located in south Seattle, has experienced various public safety challenges over the years. The neighborhood contains a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and commercial areas, with some blocks experiencing more crime than others.
Cotton’s decision to speak publicly about the attack despite the trauma demonstrates courage and may help alert other vulnerable residents to exercise increased caution. Her willingness to share details, including the emotional aftermath, humanizes crime statistics and reminds the community that victims are real people who suffer lasting impacts.
The forgiveness Cotton has found represents a personal journey separate from the justice system’s responsibility to apprehend and prosecute the attacker. Her spiritual or emotional processing does not diminish the seriousness of the crime or the need for accountability.
