Two women were found dead inside a van on Aurora Avenue Wednesday afternoon, according to the Seattle Fire Department (SFD).
Ages 45 and 59 years old, SFD said the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and the medical examiner's office were investigating the cause of death.
The bodies were found outside Mary Pilgrim Inn, a Downtown Emergency Service Center located at 14115 Aurora Ave N.
The inn is a supportive emergency housing facilitythat began operating in 2021 under King County.
"While it is emergency housing, this is not a walkup shelter, nor does it offer walkup services. Rooms are available only through referral for quick access when a person has no housing, where they can be safe and comfortable while they prepare for their next steps," the website said.
According to Seattle fire, real-time 911 calls, data showed in 2023 there had been 211 911 calls to that exact location.
In 2022: 242 911 calls.
In 2021: 52 911 calls.
"We never used to have homeless out here we only had the ladies of the night," a neighboring employee said. "Aurora Avenue has sure changed over the years."
The facility is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering supportive wrap-around services. Additionally, residents abide by DESC’s good neighbor agreement, the website stated.