Seattle Parks Removes Longtime Alki Memorial

Officials say items from memorial honoring 2020 murder victims are in storage as family plans new tribute

Apr. 5, 2026 at 3:03pm

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Seattle Parks and Recreation has removed a long-standing memorial at Luna/Anchor Park in Alki that honored Jessica Lewis and Austin Wenner, a couple whose remains were discovered stuffed in suitcases along the Duwamish Head shoreline in 2020. The department says the memorial items were carefully collected and are being stored securely, and that the victims' family has been contacted and plans to retrieve the materials as they explore creating a new, permitted tribute with the city.

Why it matters

The memorial had become an informal but poignant reminder of the tragic murders that shook the Alki community, and its removal raises questions about how public spaces balance informal memorials with the need for routine maintenance and shoreline cleanup.

The details

Seattle Parks staff removed the memorial, which included flowers, photos, and other tributes, as part of a regular cleanup at Luna/Anchor Park. The department says it has been in touch with the victims' family, who plan to retrieve the collected items and work with Parks on creating a new, officially permitted memorial to honor Lewis and Wenner.

  • The memorial had stood at the Alki waterfront for more than 5 years since the 2020 murders.
  • The memorial items were removed by Seattle Parks staff this week as part of a routine shoreline cleanup.

The players

Seattle Parks and Recreation

The city department responsible for maintaining public parks and green spaces, including the Alki waterfront area where the memorial was located.

Jessica Lewis and Austin Wenner

A couple whose remains were discovered stuffed in suitcases along the Alki Beach shoreline in 2020, sparking a high-profile murder investigation and trial.

Michael Lee Dudley

The landlord of Lewis and Wenner who was convicted of their murders in 2023 and sentenced to over 46 years in prison.

A Cleaner Alki

A local volunteer group that regularly organizes beach cleanups and maintenance efforts along the Alki waterfront, often in coordination with Seattle Parks staff.

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What’s next

The victims' family plans to retrieve the memorial items from Seattle Parks storage and work with the department on creating a new, officially permitted memorial to honor Jessica Lewis and Austin Wenner.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges cities face in balancing the need for routine maintenance and cleanup of public spaces with honoring informal memorials that have become important to local communities. The removal of the Alki memorial raises questions about how to best memorialize victims of violence while also upholding city regulations and safety standards.