Inslee statement regarding recovery of two Western State Hospital patients

Story Body


"The safe recovery of both patients who eloped from Western State Hospital is welcome news. I thank the men and women of the Lakewood Police Department, Des Moines Police Department, Spokane Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff's Office, the State Patrol, U.S. Marshals and others who acted swiftly to capture Anthony Garver and Mark Alexander Adams.

"This incident put the public at risk, the staff at risk and the patients at risk. Legislators and I have been working together to provide much-needed resources and staffing to bolster the hospital's abilities to treat patients in a safe and timely manner. But this raises serious questions once again about the management and operation of this troubled hospital.

"I expect Western's management and DSHS to work swiftly to determine how this happened and what needs to be done so it doesn't happen again. DSHS leadership’s decisions to temporarily revoke all off-site privileges and to deploy additional security are good first steps. But much work remains and I expect swift action.”

Media Contacts

Governor Inslee’s Communications Office
360.902.4136

DSHS Communications Office
360.902.7893