Michelle Thornton, 43, a lifelong Seattle resident and employee at the Upper Queen Anne Safeway, was found dead in her Belltown apartment on Thursday, January 6 by detectives from the Seattle Police Department missing persons unit. Yesterday SPD ruled the death a homicide, and is continuing the investigation to find out just what happened to her.
For years Thornton has thrown a New Year’s Eve party at her apartment, in the 100 block of Vine Street, which has a view of the fireworks at the Space Needle, according to a report by the Seattle Times. But this year friends became concerned when Thornton failed to answer her door or phone on the evening of the party, her father, Bill Thornton, told the Times.
After hearing from a number of concerned friends who had no been able to reach Michelle, Bill Thornton reported his daughter missing to police. He later learned that she had also failed to show up for work at the Upper Queen Anne Safeway on December 30.
Thornton’s last post on Facebook was at 2:55 a.m. on December 28. Friend and former neighbor Richard Bollinger told the Times that he last spoke with Michelle around midnight on December 29, adding that he called her on New Year’s Eve and left a message, and then called her back the following day, at which point her voice-mail box was full. Bill Thornton says this was the last confirmed time anyone spoke to his daughter. From the Times:
He said police went to his daughter’s apartment and did a welfare check early last week, but they could only briefly “look around” because they lacked a search warrant. Detectives later got a warrant and returned on Thursday, he said.
“She was in the closet, the back of the closet, which is why they didn’t see her” during the welfare check, Thornton said.
While Thornton said that his daughter’s personal life has been “troubled,” he also added that she had a lot of friends and was very active. Her death has been “a parent’s worst nightmare,” he told the Times.
Though the King County Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet released Thornton’s name officially, or cause the of death, SPD spokeswoman Renee Witt did confirm that investigators have ruled the incident a homicide.
Michelle is survived by her father, Bill, stepmother Jeanie Thornton, stepbrother John Hynd, and half brother David Scott Taylor.
Anyone who may have information about Thornton’s death is asked to call the department’s homicide unit at 206-684-5550.
If you missed the Space Needle fireworks show last night, we’ve captured it all on video courtesy of a rooftop vantage point on the south slope of Queen Anne.
Sorry for the shaky camera—one my of resolutions for 2011 is to remember to use a tripod.
If you’re planning to stick around Queen Anne to celebrate New Year’s this year, then there are plenty of places you can go for a prime view of the fireworks at the Space Needle at midnight.
Photo courtesy of the Seattle Center.
Here are just a few places you can ring in the New Year, for free, around the neighborhood.
Center House, Seattle Center—Ring in 2011 with the rocking sounds of The Machine, and witness the fireworks up close and personal.
For many years, The Machine has been playing around the Pacific Northwest, offering the best PARTY music in town. When you come and see The Machine, you will only hear DANCEABLE, FUN, PARTY rock and roll, AND you will have a great time.
Kerry Park—Climb up to Kerry Park, Seattle’s quintessential viewpoint (211 W Highland Dr.) to see the city skyline, Elliott Bay, and of course, the fireworks at the Needle. But remember, Kerry Park is a small space and likely to be packed, so get there early to scope out a prime viewing spot.
The South Slope—If you’re looking to have a more low key New Year’s, while still enjoying the festivities, you can have your own private viewing party from a number of sites along the south slope. Just drive around and pull over anywhere you have a clear view of the Needle. Advantages: these viewing spots are likely to be less crowded, and offer you a quick way home if you live nearby.
From the Water—If you’re lucky enough to own a boat, or know a friend who does and are comfortable battling the cold and wind, the view of the fireworks will be picturesque from Elliott Bay. Ahoy matey!
Wondering what’s in store for New Year’s at the Needle? Check out this footage of the 2010 New Year’s fireworks show, courtesy of PJtheFey.
While the weather today left the possibility of snow open, the forecast predicts mostly sunny skies on Friday, December 31, with a high of 40 degrees, a small chance of precipitation, and an overnight low of 28 degrees. So wherever you plan on watching the fireworks, the skies should be clear.
Have a favorite—and free—place to catch the fireworks? Comment below to add them to our list. Happy New Year!
We’re just hours away from 2010, and if you still don’t have plans for ushering in the New Year, here are a few ideas for celebrating the teens on the hill.
The Space Needle fireworks show is always a hit, and if you’re willing to drop some cash to welcome in the next decade, you can be front and center at midnight. For $250 guests can enjoy a six-course meal at SkyCity, followed by dancing to Seattle party band Grüvbox on the Observation Deck. For $125 you can skip dinner and go straight to the countdown party. Details here.
The Spectator Sports Bar in Uptown is having their 2nd Annual 80′s New Year’s party, equipped with a DJ and prizes for the best 80′s mustache and wig! The festivities start at 7 p.m. (They’ll also be playing New Year’s day games on Friday, and will have a hearty New Year’s breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon).
For those of us you who’d rather celebrate the New Year on a shoestring budget, Farmers Life Insurance New Year’s at the Needle fireworks show can be seen from Kerry Park on W Highland Dr. The viewpoint is the perfect place to watch the fireworks, but get there early to get a good spot because the park isn’t big enough for thousands of New Year’s onlookers. If you’d rather get a close to the action as possible, you can join the 20,000 others expected to gather at the base of the Needle for the eight-minute display.
I won’t be on the hill for New Year’s this year, so if any of you happen to snap some great pictures of the fireworks show and would like to share, email them to tips@queenanneview.com. Happy New Year!
A new lounge on the border between Lower Queen Anne and Belltown is opening up just in time for the New Year. Blush Lounge, located at 101 Denny Way – the long-time location of Minnie’s Caffe, and most recently the Whym Diner – is having its grand opening at 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 31.
The 21 and up spot will have a dance floor, two bars and a VIP lounge. And in celebration of the New Year and their grand opening, they’ll be serving free champagne and appetizers at midnight.
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Michelle Thornton, 43, a lifelong Seattle resident and employee at the Upper Queen Anne Safeway, was found dead in her Belltown apartment on Thursday, January 6 by detectives from the Seattle Police Department missing persons unit. Yesterday SPD ruled the death a homicide, and is continuing the investigation to find out just what happened to her.
