The Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office has charged a Bothell man with second-degree murder in connection with the death of his mother May 4.
The charge was filed May 13 against David Harold Coffin, 28. As of last week, he remained in Snohomish County Jail awaiting a $1 million bond.
According to police reports, Gloria Studdard, 60, was stabbed in the back as she watched TV in her home April 18. Coffin was arrested and initially charged with assault. Studdard was taken to Harborview Medical Center where she was listed in serious condition. She was released from the hospital April 23 and was recovering at home when her health took a sudden turn for the worse. Studdard was rushed first to Stevens Hospital in Edmonds and later to Harborview, where she died.
According to charging documents filed by Snohomish County prosecutors, police responding to a 911 call arrived at Studdard’s home at 18605 N. Road in unincorporated Bothell and were met at the door by a neighbor. Papers say the victim was found slumped in a chair with the handle of a large knife protruding from her back. The defendant was seated at a kitchen table and was taken into custody.
Prosecutors go on to say that in a written statement, Studdard’s boyfriend stated he was in the home’s driveway with a neighbor when they heard the victim scream. She appeared in a doorway, allegedly proclaiming that her son had stabbed her.
According to police reports, Coffin told deputies that his mother had been mean to his niece and nephew and they had come to him in a dream three nights prior to April 18. Police quoted Coffin as stating, “I did it for them.” Deputies told prosecutors Coffin explained all this “in a calm and even tone and did not express any confusion when questioned.”
Coffin allegedly further told deputies he had been angry with his mother for some time because she didn’t respect him. He reportedly stated that he took a knife from the kitchen and went to his room and thought about what to do for approximately 10 minutes. He then allegedly admitted to officers that he attacked his mother. Studdard’s boyfriend told police Coffin was being treated for bipolar disorder and was taking several medications.
The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled Studdard died of stab wounds and ruled the death a homicide.
