Kevin Coe, infamous as the 'South Hill rapist,' passes away

Dec. 3 Kevin Coe, widely known as the "South Hill rapist," who instilled fear across Spokane during the late 1970s, has died, according to a spokesperson for the Federal Way mayor's office.

Coe, 78, carried out attacks on Spokane's South Hill from 1978 to 1981, targeting teen girls and women. Court documents and prior reports indicate he may have been responsible for 30 to 40 sexual assaults. Despite multiple allegations, only one conviction remained after courts dismissed some charges due to the use of hypnotized witness testimony.

His death came nearly two months after his release from civil confinement on McNeil Island, where he had spent 19 years. Federal Way police confirmed officers responded early Wednesday morning to a medical emergency at Coes residence. Medics performed CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, with natural causes suspected.

Coe's arrest on March 10, 1981, followed investigation into a series of assaults along Spokane bus routes, including one victim jogging near Hart Field who reported her attack. Detectives had conducted stings and stakeouts to apprehend him.

The remaining conviction involved an October 23, 1980, attack on a woman returning from work. Coe ambushed her from hiding, assaulted her, and threatened her life if she reported the crime.

His family also attracted public attention. His mother, Ruth Coe, was convicted of attempting to hire someone to harm a judge and a prosecutor involved in Kevin Coe's initial trial. She served a year in prison. Kevin Coe claimed involvement in her defense, and his sister supported both him and their mother throughout legal proceedings.

The case received widespread media coverage, inspiring a book by Jack Olsen and a made-for-TV movie. Patricia Thompson, Spokane Countys first female prosecutor, expressed surprise at Coes release, noting the lasting impact of his crimes on victims.

Coe spent decades appealing his convictions. In 1984, the Washington Supreme Court overturned four first-degree rape convictions partly due to the use of hypnosis on witnesses. A subsequent 1985 trial resulted in three convictions, with two later overturned, leaving one standing.

After serving 25 years in Walla Walla State Penitentiary, Coe was civilly committed as a sexually violent predator on McNeil Island. During the 2008 trial, prosecutors described him as "unrepentant and untreated" and a continuing danger to society.

Each year, the Attorney Generals Office had to prove he posed a risk of reoffending to maintain civil commitment. In September, citing deteriorating health, officials said they could no longer meet this burden, allowing his release. Coes victims voiced the lasting trauma caused by his actions.

Following release, Coe lived in group homes in Federal Way and Auburn, drawing public concern. He was registered as a level three sex offender, the highest risk classification in Washington, indicating a high potential to reoffend.

Author's Analysis: The End of a Notorious Case

Kevin Coe, the "South Hill rapist," has died at the age of 78, closing a chapter on one of Spokane's most infamous criminal cases. His death occurred shortly after his release from nearly two decades of civil confinement on McNeil Island, where he was held as a sexually violent predator. Authorities suspect natural causes.

Coe's criminal history remains stark: over 30 alleged assaults with only one conviction surviving multiple appeals and legal challenges. His case highlights the complexities of the justice system, particularly the difficulties in prosecuting crimes involving hypnotized witnesses and multiple appeals over decades.

The societal impact of Coe's crimes was profound. Victims and the community continue to feel the effects of his actions, and his release stirred public concern despite his deteriorating health. Coe’s story underscores the ongoing debate about civil commitment for high-risk offenders and the balance between public safety and legal standards for release.

Ultimately, Coe’s death may bring some closure, but the trauma endured by victims and the legal precedents set by his case will persist in Spokane and beyond.

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• Kevin Coe, known as 'South Hill rapist,' dies