UPDATE: July 23
The suspect is described as having “blotchy” skin.

The South Park neighborhood is reeling after a vicious attack early Sunday morning left one resident dead and another in the hospital with critical injuries.

Just after 3 a.m. on July 19, neighbors in the 700 block of South Rose Street heard screams for help. Running outside they found a 39-year-old woman lying in the street with what turned out to be fatal knife wounds (including one to the throat). She died at the scene.

Officers found the second victim standing in front of the home with severe lacerations. Before being transferred to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, she was able to provide details: A naked (or partially naked) stranger had entered the home--possibly through an open main-floor window--and attacked the women with a knife as she slept. Because the incident occurred right at a shift change, there was a huge response by officers and medics: At least 10 patrol cars and nine fire units responded to the incident. Unfortunately, though the area was contained and the K9 unit was brought in, the search for the suspect proved unsuccessful.

The suspect is a black male in his twenties, about 5 foot 10 inches, 160 pounds, with a muscular build, “nappy” hair and a thin mustache.

Homicide detectives have taken over the investigation and are asking for the public's help. Anyone with information is urged to call the Seattle Police Department Homicide Unit at (206) 684-5550 or Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS (confidentiality guaranteed) or send a text message to “crimes” (274637).