In the early morning hours of November 3, 2015, the life of 26-year-old Steven Speakman was tragically cut short on the familiar streets of his Hilltop neighborhood in Tacoma, Washington. A passerby discovered his body on the sidewalk in the 1000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way at approximately 6:15 a.m. Investigators believe he was killed about 20 minutes earlier, as neighbors reported hearing the sound of gunshots around 5:55 a.m.
Speakman, a male who was known for his friendly and outgoing nature, had been shot multiple times.
Steven was a well-known and beloved figure in his community. Although he was 26 years old, he had the intellectual capacity of a 10-year-old. This didn't stop him from being a cherished presence in the neighborhood, often seen walking around, visiting local stores, and greeting people with a smile. He lived with his mother just a short distance from where his life was taken. His family described him as a loving and harmless individual who wouldn't hurt a fly, making his violent death all the more baffling and devastating to them.
The investigation into Steven's murder has been a long and frustrating journey for both his family and the Tacoma Police Department. A motive for the killing has never been established. Robbery seems an unlikely reason for the attack, as his cell phone and wallet were found with his body. In the immediate aftermath, detectives canvassed the area for witnesses and surveillance footage, and they spoke with several individuals who may have been with Steven before he died. Two people were questioned, one of whom led police on a chase and discarded a firearm, but investigators determined that neither was involved in the homicide.
To this day, Steven Speakman's case remains unsolved, and no suspects have been arrested or charged in his murder. The weapon used in the shooting has never been recovered. Over the years, his family has made public pleas for information, hoping that someone will come forward with the key piece of evidence that will lead to an arrest. In 2023, the Washington Attorney General's Office's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and People Cold Case Unit received his case for review. A memorial of stuffed animals, flowers, and sports memorabilia was created by the community at the site of his death, a testament to the young man who was taken too soon.
