This is one of those stories that is hard to write about, as it concerns a heartbreaking loss. You may recall last summer that 15-year-old Mahamed Mohamud disappeared somewhere between Wallingford and the Green Lake Library. Two days later, his body was found in Green Lake. The Seattle Police determined his death was an accident and closed the case.
While not a lot is known about the circumstances, at least some of the details do not seem to add up. Mahamed’s mother, who is a Wallingford community member, a FamilyWorks employee, and frequent Green Lake Library patron, hired a private detective to try to find more information. Wallyhood was recently asked to remind our community about the incident, and to implore people to think back to that time—and even more importantly, to review any photos or videos they might have taken around the neighborhood or at Green Lake on the off chance that Mahamed might be seen in them. However, any information at all might be important.
Some may coldly ask, what’s the point, after all these months? Mahamed’s mother answers that in her own words: “I want to get the closure my family so rightfully deserves. My son is at peace and his story will be understood when justice prevails.”
What’s Being Sought
If you took any photos or videos in or around the Green Lake area between 7/12/2021 and 7/14/2021, please look in the background for 15-year old Mahamed. He was last seen alive wearing a neon orange Boys and Girls Club t-shirt, black sweatpants and sandals. Please contact: Detective Brent Campbell at (425) 941-0222.
Facts of the Case
Last Seen: Mahamed Mohamud, age 15, was last seen alive on Monday, July 12th, 2021 at 5:30 pm. He had just gotten off bus 62 and was walking towards the Green Lake Library.
Details: On July 12th, Mahamed volunteered at the Wallingford Boys & Girls Club. He went home, ate dinner, and then took his sisters to get ice cream at Molly Moon’s in Wallingford. Afterward, he told his siblings that he was going to the Green Lake Branch Library to check out a book. Mahamed hopped on bus 62 and headed towards Green Lake Library. Friends later said they ran into him while he was riding the bus; they all got off the bus at the same stop and they last saw him walking towards the library around 5:30 p.m. This was the last time Mahamed was seen alive. When he didn’t come home that night, his family called the police and started canvassing the neighborhood. Flyers with Mahamed’s face, height, and weight were put up around the area.
Found: Mahamed’s body was found two days later on Wednesday, July 14th, 2021 at approximately 3:15 p.m. in Green Lake (near Green Lake Evans Pool and Community Center). Seattle Police at the scene immediately ruled his death “an accident,” and indicated a time of death, claimed nothing suspicious was found at the scene, and quickly closed his case.
Suspicious Details: When Mahamed left home he was wearing black sweatpants, a neon orange Boys and Girls Club t-shirt, and sandals. He had his wallet and keys in his pocket. When Mahamed’s body was found, he was wearing the same clothes but his sandals, keys, and wallet were missing. The only thing in his pocket was his ID. The books he had checked out at the library were later anonymously returned.
Autopsy Report: Mahamed’s autopsy showed no drugs or alcohol in his system. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office said his death was accidental and due to asphyxiation from drowning, but many questions remain unanswered.
Unanswered Questions:
- Where did he go after the library closed?
- How did he end up in the water? (He never showed an interest in swimming, much less in sweatpants)
- Was he alone?
- Why was his wallet missing but not his ID?
- Where are his shoes, wallet, and keys?
- Who returned his books? Where were they found?
- He was missing for two days in the middle of summer at Green Lake with hundreds of people around. Who else saw him?
If you have any information or recollections at all, please contact Detective Brent Campbell at (425) 941-0222.