TUKWILA, Wash. – The King County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday that they had recovered the stolen vehicle of a cab driver who was murdered outside of Southcenter mall earlier this month. The vehicle was found in the Redmond Ridge neighborhood, an unincorporated area of King County, and was subsequently handed over to Tukwila police for further investigation.
The vehicle belonged to a 34-year-old man named Nicholas Frank Hokema, who was tragically found dead in the parking lot of Southcenter mall. Tukwila police have classified the case as a homicide. Hokema’s girlfriend, Nicole Sharkody, expressed relief at the discovery of the car but also voiced frustration over the unanswered questions surrounding his death. The King County Medical Examiner confirmed that Hokema died from “multiple sharp force injuries.”
Hokema’s family disclosed that he was in the midst of working a 12-hour overnight shift when he suddenly stopped responding to calls and text messages. Sharkody revealed that she had safety concerns about him working the late-night hours, but Hokema reassured her that everything would be okay.
The RediCab company, for whom Hokema was driving, is reportedly cooperating with Tukwila police during the ongoing investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward and contact the Tukwila Police Department regarding case 24-304.
The community has been left reeling from Hokema’s sudden and tragic death, with many still seeking answers to the circumstances surrounding the murder. The recovery of the stolen vehicle marks a significant development in the case, but the investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to Hokema’s untimely demise.