In the early morning hours of Friday, March 4, Seattle local Brent Wood was beaten to death behind the iconic Broadway Rite Aid. His body was discovered by store employees later that morning.

While authorities were able to identify the 31-year-old victim, not much is known about him, as he had been experiencing homelessness for the last several years. Records show that Wood had a temporary address at Compass Housing Alliance, had registered to vote in Kenmore when he turned 18 and had performed many odd jobs around Capitol Hill. Few can say why Wood may have been targeted by such a violent criminal.

A young artist failed by the system
One Seattle business owner who spoke on behalf of Wood as a person is Jamie Lutton, the owner of Twice Sold Tales. "He did work for us," she said, recalling how Wood would clean the store's signs.

"He was embedded with a lot of artistic drive, always making art, but he couldn't catch a break," Lutton added. "He often reminded me of a Dickens character."

She remembered Wood frequently showed up at the store battered and bruised but always refusing to give details about what was happening to him. "He kept getting roughed up but couldn't go to the police," she said. According to Lutton, Wood had stolen a six-pack of beer at some point and was wanted for shoplifting. He was unable to show up to his court date and worried that if he were to go to the police with concerns for his physical safety, he would end up behind bars.

"And for that, he died," she said. "Even if you're on the run, you should be able to go to the police," Lutton said.

According to Lutton, Wood was a kid who "fell through the cracks." While she admits he was not one to talk about his personal life much, he did confide in her that he was Gay. As a result of his coming out, his family kicked him out. "He was Queer and didn't get family support," she said. "It's a trajectory that destroys lives. He went from being an ordinary kid, a barista, to on the street."

"He kept struggling but kept trying," Lutton added. She watched Wood as he fought battles with addiction and bounced around from boyfriends' couches to shelters. "His drug habit was the worst thing ever," she said. "We treat drug addicts like they're criminals." Because of his situation, Wood was unable to receive proper treatment or support in fighting his addiction, and most people used it as an excuse to further look down on him.

"He told me people would look at him and think, 'Ick, get out, you're not wanted.' How can people climb up from that and the constant hatred of people?" Lutton said.

"No one kept him in mind. He was a nothing and a nobody to people."

A target on his back
While Wood experienced invisibility from society due to his poverty, there was someone who kept him in mind. "His killer knew he was vulnerable," Lutton said. Police have yet to identify any suspects, but Lutton is sure Wood's murderer is someone involved in his daily harassment. She explained that in the last few encounters Wood had with her, he mentioned that his belongings had been stolen. Someone was after him.

"He wouldn't volunteer things about his life; he was very reticent," Lutton said. "But I knew he was being attacked." Lutton believes Wood's demise was ultimately due to another person experiencing homelessness. "The worst enemy of the homeless are violent [people] who prey on them, and they stole everything he had," she said.

The SGN reached out to management at the Broadway Rite Aid for any information on Wood's death. They informed us that they could not speak about Wood or the current investigation and that all information about the case must come from the corporation, which refused to issue a statement.

Crimestoppers is currently issuing a $2,000 reward for anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the person who murdered him.

Remembering Brent Wood
Friends of Wood hope that he will be remembered as more than just a Queer kid failed by the system. "He had real style," Lutton said. "Sometimes his outfits were wonderful." She recalls that he always showed up at the shop spotting a different and unique look, often including wigs and painted nails.

Other sources on the Hill said Wood carried himself with "compassion and love for everyone he met."

Twice Sold Tales remembers Brent Wood with the poem "No Man Is an Island" by John Donne, which states, "Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

While few were willing to help Wood while he was alive, Lutton hopes justice can finally be on his side for once.

"I miss him terribly, and I want his killer caught," she said. "He was a person, and his life mattered."