The March 12 murder in Wallingford does not appear to be a random act, according to Seattle police.
Homicide detectives are still investigating the case. So far no arrests have been made.
The victim has been identified as Lalita Byrnes, 38, but she went by Lita.
Longtime friend, Ami Chavez, took an 11 hour flight from China when she learned Lita was gone. Other friends also traveled to Seattle from out-of-state to offer support to Lita's loved ones.
"I'd go to the moon and back for Lita, so coming from China is a small thing," said Chavez. "I have so much sadness, but I equally have so much rage that she was stolen from us."
The way it happened has left a neighborhood grieving too. There's a growing memorial steps away from Lita's home, where she was found Monday morning. Investigators say she was stabbed.
Ashley Lorenson worked with Lita for ten years at Trader Joe's in the U-District. She arrived at the memorial Friday with flowers.
"I just wanted to let her know I was thinking of her. And I just wanted to make it a more beautiful place here because how she died was so tragic," said Lorenson.
"It is just crazy how many lives she truly touched and that is what I love about her," said friend Brittany DeRosier. "I want to live the rest of my life trying to be half as amazing of a person as she was."
Those who knew her best say she was a kind person, who put others before herself. Now friends want justice for Lita.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Seattle police tip line at 206-233-5000.
