Teenagers stumbled upon a horrifying discovery while filming TikTok videos on a beach. Three teens were recording at West Seattle’s Alki Beach in 2020 when they noticed a suitcase.
Their curiosity led them to open the suitcase, unaware of the grisly contents that would eventually lead to a man’s lengthy prison sentence.
In the now-infamous video, one girl climbs down to the rocky part of the beach to inspect the suitcase, which the person filming mentioned had a foul odour. The smell intensified as they opened it, revealing something wrapped in what seemed to be a black garbage bag.
Is there a serial killer on the loose in Seattle? A group of teenagers who were directed to a random spot on the shoreline by Pike Place Market via an app called Randonautica found a black suitcase filled with human remains. They uploaded the grisly find to TikTok. pic.twitter.com/qgbx2Eby0C
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) June 22, 2020
Uncertain if the suitcase contained spoiled food or something more sinister, one of the teens called the police. Authorities later confirmed the suitcase contained human remains, and firefighters found more body parts in additional bags scattered in the area.
The bodies were identified as Jessica Lewis, 35, and Austin Wenner, 27. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office reported that Lewis died from multiple gunshot wounds, while Wenner succumbed to a gunshot wound to the torso.
The chilling video of the teens’ discovery garnered 30 million views before it was removed under pressure from the victims’ families. It remains unclear whether TikTok or the original poster deleted the video.
Following the identification of the couple, police named their landlord, Michael Dudley, as a suspect. Dudley was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and was found guilty after a jury trial on December 6, 2022.
Prosecutors stated that Dudley had grown frustrated with the couple over unpaid rent. In April of last year, the 65-year-old was sentenced to 560 months (over 46 years) and is currently imprisoned at Washington State Penitentiary.
After the sentencing, Jessica Lewis’ aunt expressed relief, stating, “I’m just glad we are safer now that man is off the streets and not taking advantage of or hurting and preying on people when down on their luck anymore.”
Dudley’s crimes were later featured in the second season of Netflix’s “Worst Roommate Ever,” released earlier this year.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Toofab reports on teens discovering dismembered bodies in suitcases on Seattle shoreline, led by Randonautica app, with landlord Michael Lee Dudley charged with murder. (Read more)
- Inside Edition reports on teenagers finding a dead body in a suitcase on a Seattle beach while using the “Randonautica” app, highlighting the app’s unintended consequences and the trauma experienced by the teens. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What did the teenagers find on Alki Beach?
They found a suitcase containing human remains.
Whose bodies were found in the suitcase?
The bodies of Jessica Lewis and Austin Wenner.
Who was convicted for the murders?
Their landlord, Michael Dudley.
What was Michael Dudley’s sentence?
Dudley was sentenced to over 46 years in prison.
Did the discovery video go viral?
Yes, the video was viewed 30 million times before being taken down.