“Unbelievable” tells the story of a Lynnwood teenager charged with lying about being raped. (Beth Dubber / Netflix)

“Unbelievable” tells the story of a Lynnwood teenager charged with lying about being raped. (Beth Dubber / Netflix)

Lynnwood police chief reflects on ‘Unbelievable’ rape case

In a letter, the chief calls the investigation unacceptable, and highlights progress since then.

LYNNWOOD — A new Netflix series about a Lynnwood teen’s rape, and detectives’ reluctance to believe her, has caused the city’s police chief to pause and reflect.

In a two-page letter released Thursday, Lynnwood Police Chief Tom Davis called the eight-episode show “impactful and thought-provoking,” and the circumstances of the sexual assault horrendous.

“Quite simply, there is no acceptable explanation for what occurred at that time,” he wrote.

“Unbelievable” recounts the true story of how the teenager reported to Lynnwood police in 2008 that she was raped at knifepoint by a masked intruder in her apartment — and how she later retracted her claim under pressure from male investigators and even her foster mothers, who suggested she made up the story for attention.

The girl was charged and then convicted of false reporting. A judge ordered her to pay $500 and undergo mental health counseling.

It would be another three years before her rapist, Marc Patrick O’Leary, was arrested in Colorado for attacking four more women. He was sentenced to 325 years in prison for the Colorado assaults. Then, in 2012, he was sentenced to 28 years for raping the Lynnwood woman and another woman in Kirkland.

The Lynnwood woman filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Lynnwood, which ended in 2014 with a $150,000 settlement.

Davis wasn’t chief of police when the rape was first reported, nor when her rapist was arrested in 2011, but, he wrote, “I am no less distressed by the decisions and circumstances from 11 years ago that undoubtedly caused additional harm to the victim.”

Lynnwood Police Chief Tom Davis (Lynnwood Police Department)

Lynnwood Police Chief Tom Davis (Lynnwood Police Department)

The show caused Davis to think about how the department has evolved since. After O’Leary’s arrest, and detectives’ realization they were wrong, the former police chief, Steve Jensen, had an outside team conduct a review of how police handled the Lynnwood woman’s rape, as well as the department’s general approach to sexual assault investigations.

As a result, the department adopted a victim-centered investigative philosophy and now provides additional training to detectives and patrol staff for sexual assault investigations, Davis wrote. The department also employs a full-time coordinator who works directly with crime victims.

Davis declined to elaborate on his thoughts or the departmental changes beyond what he wrote in his letter.

The state, too, has taken steps. In 2017 the Legislature passed a law mandating that every officer who regularly conducts sexual assault investigations take part in trainings, focused on how to work with rape survivors.

In response, the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission developed a 24-hour course training officers “to recognize and apply a trauma-informed, victim-centered lens and approach to sexual assault investigations,” offered to departments throughout the state.

By July 2020, every officer who regularly conducts sexual assault investigations will have taken part in the training, according to the state law.

“While officers are already well trained in conducting sensitive investigations, working with people who experienced psychological trauma requires a special approach,” said Jen Wallace, program manager for sexual assault investigations.

Zachariah Bryan: 425-339-3431; zbryan@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @zachariahtb.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Jury awards $3.25M in dog bite verdict against Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace dog was euthanized after 2022 incident involving fellow officer.

Northshore School District Administrative building. (Northshore School District)
Lawsuit against Northshore School District reaches $500,000 settlement

A family alleged a teacher repeatedly restrained and isolated their child and barred them from observing the classroom.

Everett City Council on Wednesday, March 19 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett council to vote on budget amendment

The amendment sets aside dollars for new employees in some areas, makes spending cuts in others and allocates money for work on the city’s stadium project.

Bryson Fico, left, unloaded box of books from his car with the help of Custody Officer Jason Morton as a donation to the Marysville Jail on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Books behind bars: A personal mission for change

Bryson Fico’s project provides inmates with tools for escape, learning and second chances.

Everett
Everett man, linked to Dec. 31 pipe bomb, appears in federal court

Police say Steven Goldstine, 54, targeted neighbors with racial slurs and detonated a pipe bomb in their car.

Congress member Suzan DelBene speaks at a roundtable on Thursday, April 17 in Monroe, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
DelBene talks possible Medicaid cuts at Monroe roundtable

Health experts worry potential cuts to the program could harm people’s health, strain hospital resources and drive up the cost of care.

Local law enforcement officers stage in the drive of the Farwest Motel on the 6000 block of Evergreen Way in Everett. Friday, April 18, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
SMART investigators activated after disturbance at Everett motel

The Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team is typically activated for officer-involved shootings or significant uses of force.

Over a dozen parents and some Snohomish School District students gather outside of the district office to protest and discuss safety concerns after an incident with a student at Machias Elementary School on Friday, April 18, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Parents protest handling of alleged weapon incident at Machias Elementary

Families say district failed to communicate clearly; some have kept kids home for weeks.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen speaks during a special meeting held to discuss annexing into South County Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
PDC issues warning, dismisses complaint against Edmonds officials

The agency found that emails and texts from the city broke state law, but the minor violation didn’t warrant further action.

Everett City Council on Wednesday, March 19 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett council approves budget amendment for staffing, stadium funding

The amendment budgets for some new employees and costs for the city’s multipurpose stadium project.

A SoundTransit Link train pulls into the Mountlake Terrace station as U.S. Representative Rick Larsen talks about the T&I Committee’s work on the surface reauthorization bill on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Larsen talks federal funding for Snohomish County transit projects

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Everett) spoke with Snohomish County leaders to hear their priorities for an upcoming transit bill.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.