Notorious ‘South Hill Rapist’ Kevin Coe released from prison in Washington

Kevin Coe, the man dubbed the “South Hill Rapist” for a string of brutal sexual assaults that terrorized Spokane, Washington, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, has been released from McNeil Island and is reportedly being placed in an adult family home in Federal Way. The controversial decision has reignited painful memories for his victims and raised public safety concerns.

Coe was accused of committing dozens of sexual assaults across Spokane’s South Hill neighborhood over several years, sparking one of the largest manhunts in the region’s history. Although he faced multiple convictions, many were overturned after courts ruled that evidence obtained through victim hypnosis was inadmissible. Ultimately, Coe served time for a single rape conviction.

In 2006, following civil proceedings, he was committed to the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island after being deemed a “sexually violent predator.” The court cited his refusal to participate in treatment programs during his prison sentence as a key factor in his civil confinement.

On Thursday, a Spokane County judge approved Coe’s unconditional release, citing his advanced age, now in his mid-70s, and physical disabilities. According to KHQ-TV, several survivors delivered emotional impact statements ahead of the ruling, describing lasting trauma and fears of re-victimization.

“The court, specifically, myself especially, are not trying to cause more trauma. At the end of your statements, I don't have a choice,” said Judge Julie McKay. One survivor described the release process as “a re-rape,” explaining that “when you are raped, the minute you get up and walk home, your survival days begin.” Coe is expected to live at the Win Win Adult Family Home in Federal Way and must register as a sex offender.

Federal Way officials say they were not consulted on the release.

“We do not have any say in the release of Kevin Coe, and we understand the sensitivity surrounding this matter,” said Mayor Jim Ferrell in a statement to The Center Square. “While this does not eliminate the possibility of re-offense, we are confident that his presence in Federal Way does not pose a significant public safety risk to our residents.”

State Rep. Jenny Graham (R–Spokane Valley), whose sister was murdered by Green River Killer Gary Ridgway, blasted the decision to the outlet. “This man refused to do any sort of treatment whatsoever and has not taken responsibility for the lives that he absolutely horrifically either destroyed or affected,” Graham said. “Why is it OK for this judge or anybody else to gamble with the safety of other people’s lives?”

Graham also questioned claims that Coe is confined to a wheelchair, citing conflicting reports suggesting he is more mobile than stated.

Several survivors delivered harrowing statements during the hearing, describing enduring nightmares, PTSD, and lifelong psychological scars.

One woman called Coe “a psychopath, narcissistic liar who never once said ‘I did this.’” Another survivor, who was raped at age 20, told the court, “The questions he asked me still haunt me to this day… Now that he's free...he can do that. And I am scared.”

A third woman, attacked in 1979, recounted being beaten nearly to death before being raped and left in a field. She and another survivor described how faith and forgiveness helped them reclaim their lives, but both expressed deep concern about Coe’s release.

Coe’s release comes amid broader changes to Washington’s handling of sexually violent predators. In 2021, Democratic lawmakers passed legislation requiring the “fair share” redistribution of offenders into communities across the state, rather than long-term confinement at McNeil Island.

Governor Bob Ferguson, then attorney general, has supported depopulating McNeil Island. Beginning in 2023, the state started releasing Level-3 sex offenders, whom federal officials have called “the worst of the worst,” and most likely to re-offend, into residential neighborhoods through privately operated halfway homes.

McNeil Island previously housed approximately 200 individuals convicted of serious sex crimes, including rape and child molestation, who were found by courts to be likely to reoffend due to mental abnormalities or personality disorders.

The dismissal order for Coe’s civil confinement is “without prejudice,” meaning the state could reopen the case if circumstances change. For now, however, his release is unconditional, and the city of Federal Way says it cannot legally send community notices because he is not being classified as “likely to reoffend” under state law.