Two teenagers, Jahaz Phillips and Myion Coleman, both aged 16, were discovered dead under suspicious circumstances along Interstate 5 in Seattle, Washington, with their bodies found less than half a mile apart. The order in which they were found remains unknown.
With a span of 10 hours separating the discoveries of their bodies, the first teenager was found late Thursday night, March 21, 2024, at around 10:30 p.m. by a passerby who noticed a body in a ditch near North 85th Street and Interstate 5. The following morning, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the second teenager’s body was discovered in a ravine near the Northbound ramp of Northeast 85th Street. Both bodies were hidden behind a tall concrete barrier and thick vegetation, away from public view.
Post-mortem examinations determined that both Phillips and Coleman had died from gunshot wounds, dismissing initial thoughts that a traffic accident may have been the cause. This significant finding shifted the direction of the Washington State Patrol’s investigation from an accident to a deliberate act of homicide.
A family member of Jahaz spoke to the local media about the strong friendship between the two teenagers, stating that they were rarely seen without each other. Trooper Rick Johnson of the Washington State Patrol in King County confirmed that the discussions with the families of both boys suggested a connection between their deaths, though the exact nature of this link remains unclear.
Jake Rower, a local resident, expressed his shock to the media about the tragedy, stating, “The younger it is, the more heartbreaking. This is the most extreme thing I’ve heard happening here anyway.”
A GoFundMe campaign was created in honor of Jahaz, seeking to assist his family with funeral costs. The organizer of the fundraiser, a relative of Jahaz, described him as a remarkably intelligent and charming young man, loved by all who met him. His life, cut short by the impact of gun violence, and his loss, shared with his closest friend, was mourned.
The relative further shared details about Jahaz’s charismatic personality and his roles within the family as a beloved brother, son, uncle, and grand-uncle. They spoke about Jahaz’s close relationship with his late mother, explaining that her death had a significant impact on him, and his loss has been a devastating blow to the family. Despite often being the youngest at family gatherings, Jahaz’s spirit was described as the most expansive and tangible. As of now, the GoFundMe has raised more than $8,700, with a target set at $10,000.
Another fundraising page has been created for Myion, aiming to support his mother, Myisha, during this challenging time. One anonymous donor wrote, “Myion was a classmate of my own child during their middle school years, and he consistently tried to show kindness in situations where others might not. It’s a tragedy that no young person or parent should face. Our hearts are heavy with sorrow.” The fundraising page has so far collected over $6,000, with a goal of $15,000.
As the investigation continues with no suspects yet identified, authorities have called on the public to provide any information that might aid in the investigation. Trooper Johnson stated, “We need help moving this forward. Someone saw and knows something, so we are looking for that.”
