As a resident living in close proximity to the site of the stabbing, this is really disappointing news.

Forensic testing has failed to provide any connection between evidence gathered from the scene of Shannon Harps’ slaying on New Year’s Eve and a man who caught the interest of Seattle police detectives investigating the case.

Harps, 31, was stabbed repeatedly outside her Capitol Hill condominium. Police later issued a sketch of a bearded man witnesses saw running from the scene of the murder.

As tips poured into the department in the days following, one tipster alerted them to a 29-year-old man with a violent criminal past who resembled the sketch.

The man was detained on Jan. 5 by the Department of Corrections for violating conditions of his community supervision and has been in custody since then.

But on Wednesday, the Police Department issued a statement, saying, “The forensic testing and investigative efforts completed to date have not provided sufficient information for an arrest.”

Sources familiar with the case said the man’s DNA simply did not match what was found on evidence collected from the crime scene.

The man is expected to have a hearing Thursday before DOC hearing officers regarding his violation. He could be released following that hearing, with new conditions set on the terms of his supervision.

Seattle PI

At least it appears that local authorities are getting somewhere with finding the person responsible for the recent UW assault.

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