Juniper Blessing (left), suspect Christopher Leahy (right) (Santa Fe New Mexican / Courtesy Photo | X @SeattlePD)

The man accused of murdering transgender University of Washington student Juniper Blessing has been found unfit to stand trial and ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment.

Christopher Leahy, 31, is charged with first-degree murder over the death of 19-year-old Blessing, who was found fatally stabbed at a Seattle student housing complex in May.

At a hearing on Monday (29 June), King County Superior Court Judge Joe Campagna ruled Leahy was not mentally competent to enter a plea or stand trial, after an evaluation at Western State Hospital.

He has been ordered to spend up to 90 days at the hospital for competency restoration treatment, with his next hearing scheduled for 24 September, as reported by KING 5 Seattle.

If his competency is restored, the case can proceed. If he is found permanently incompetent, the charges may be dismissed, and he could be placed in civil mental health treatment.

Prosecutors allege the killing was premeditated, and that Leahy, who is not a UW student or Seattle resident, had set out to kill that evening.

They say the attack was random and that he did not know Blessing, adding there is currently no evidence she was targeted for being transgender.

Blessing, a 2024 graduate of the New Mexico School for the Arts, was studying atmospheric and climate science and is remembered as a gifted singer.

Her death was honoured with a moment of silence on the floor of the US House of Representatives by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal.

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