Bellingham Police Lieutenant Danette Beckley speaks at the joint press conference Thursday, Sept. 13. Western and Bellingham Police are investigating voyeuristic videos taken by a former Wade King Rec Center employee. Ella Banken // AS Review
By Erasmus Baxter
Bellingham Police are combing through evidence belonging to a now-deceased Wade King Rec Center employee to identify potential additional victims of illicit voyeuristic videos.
At a press conference today, Bellingham Police Chief David Doll called the investigation of the highest priority and said the department had dedicated personnel and forensic analysts to the case who were combing through 198 pieces of evidence including phones and DVDs.
“We fully intend to identify locations where these images were taken, find out who the potential victims are, and provide care and outreach and support to those victims,” Doll said.
The employee, administrative assistant Kip Leonetti, was found dead in Spokane in an apparent suicide Sept. 10, according to police. The death is being investigated by the Spokane Police Department.
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Leonetti was under investigation after two men, members of the semi-professional Bellingham Slam basketball team that Leonetti assistant coached for, told Bellingham police they believed they were videotaped in the shower following a game at Seattle Pacific University last month. Images of the men were discovered in a search of Leonetti’s phone, police say.
The investigation was first disclosed by Western Today.
Lieutenant Danette Beckley declined to comment on whether they had discovered additional victims yet, citing an active investigation. Beckley said more information would be released once their investigation was complete.
Western Police Chief Darin Rasmussen said they were working with Bellingham police on the investigation and will be reaching out to people who may have been affected. The Seattle Police Department and Seattle Pacific University staff are also participating in the investigation.
Leonetti had worked at the Rec Center approximately for 12 years, according to Paul Cocke, Western’s director of communications and marketing. His work was clerical and he was not involved with any of the Rec Center programs, Cocke said. After Leonetti was contacted by police in connection with the investigation on Sept. 6, he was placed on administrative leave.
Wade King employees saw no indication of any abnormal behavior by Leonetti and said they were shocked by the revelations, Cocke said.
“Folks over at Wade King told me the general mood there is one of shock and disbelief and mourning the death of a person they worked with,” Cocke said.
Bellingham and Western police also said they had no previous reports regarding Leonetti.
The registrar’s office confirmed that Leonetti graduated from Western in 2004 with a degree from Huxley College.
Rasmussen and Doll both applauded the courage of the two men who made the initial report.
“When they saw something odd, they reported it and that’s what got this going,” Doll said.
Doll encouraged parents whose children had taken part in programs at Western to have a conversation with them and report if they mention anything suspicious.
Bellingham Police are looking for any information or tips at 360-778-8823.
Western’s counseling center can be reached for support at 360-650-3164. CASAS can be reached for confidential support at 360-650-3700.