Seattle woman accused of murdering her father with an ice pick

SEATTLE – Prosecutors in King County have formally charged Corey Burke with first-degree murder in connection with the death of her father, Timothy Burke, in an alleged domestic violence incident.

According to court documents, the murder occurred Nov. 5 in Seattle's Rainier Valley. Prosecutors said Burke premeditated her father's murder during an argument about turning off the household lights.

Burke reportedly told investigators that she was unable to convince her 67-year-old father to turn off the lights. Frustrated, she pulled out an ice climbing ax, tripped over him, strangled him with the tool, and bit him. She also admitted to striking him several times in the head and side with both the blunt and sharp end of the axe, police said. A heavy blow pierced Timothy Burke's chest and penetrated his lungs. As he struggled to breathe, his daughter sat next to him until he stopped breathing.

After the murder, Burke allegedly broke several windows of the residence, prompting neighbors to contact police. Officers noted that upon arrival, Burke was unresponsive to questions and observed behavior consistent with a mental health crisis. She was transported to Harborview Medical Center.

When police officers learned that an elderly man lived in the apartment, they entered the apartment to conduct a welfare check. In the basement bedroom, they discovered the body of Timothy Burke with obvious signs of trauma. An ice pick with bloodstains was found in the living room.

Given the seriousness of the charges and the potential risks, prosecutors have asked the court to maintain bail at $2 million for Burke, citing concerns about public safety and the possibility that she will not appear in court.

Further court proceedings are pending and the defendant is expected to undergo a mental health evaluation.

No further details were released.

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