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Jesse Puff, Arson & Murder, Seattle WA, 2020
Seattle, WA – A 31-year-old man, Jesse Puff, has been found guilty of two counts of Murder-1, one count of Arson-1, and three counts of Assault-2 following a jury trial in King County Superior Court. The conviction stems from a deliberately set fire at the Hillside Motel in Seattle’s East Queen Anne neighborhood on July 13, 2020, that claimed the lives of two people.
The scene was chaos when Seattle Fire Department and Seattle Police Department arrived at the 2400 block of Aurora Avenue North. Residents were seen jumping from windows in a desperate attempt to escape the rapidly spreading blaze. Approximately fourteen people were inside the motel when Puff ignited the fire. Surveillance footage captured Puff entering the stairwell carrying multiple jugs, followed by a bright flash. He was then seen fleeing the building, his lower body engulfed in flames.
Investigators determined that Jesse Puff used an ignitable liquid to start the fire inside the motel. The fire quickly escalated, trapping residents on upper floors. Days after the arson, a 32-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man succumbed to their injuries at Harborview Medical Center. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office officially ruled both deaths as homicides.
“This was a calculated and deliberate act that resulted in the tragic loss of life,” stated Jonathan Blais, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Seattle Field Division. “This conviction sends a clear message: those who use fire as a weapon will be held fully accountable for the devastation they cause.” Blais also praised the collaborative effort between the ATF, the Seattle Police Department, and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in securing the conviction.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Seattle Police Department. The case was then successfully prosecuted by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Sentencing for Jesse Puff is scheduled for March 20, 2026, where he faces a significant prison term for his crimes.
The Hillside Motel remains a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of arson. This case underscores the importance of swift and thorough investigations into such acts, and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to bring perpetrators to justice.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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